Salah Leads Egypt to 3-2 Win Over Ivory Coast; Sets Up AFCON Semi-Final vs. Senegal

By Tolu Shotade

Sun 11 Jan 2026 12:59

Tolu Shotade 11 Jan 2026

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Egypt defeated Côte d'Ivoire 3-2, led by Salah's performance.
Salah's goal ties him with Hossam Hassan as Egypt's AFCON top scorer.
Salah to face Mané in a semi-final clash against Senegal.

Mohamed Salah

In a thrilling encounter at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a 3-2 victory over defending champions Côte d'Ivoire.

This victory not only dethrones the "Elephants" but also sets the stage for a cinematic semi-final reunion between former Liverpool strike partners Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

Pharaohs Dethrone the Champions

The match was an instant classic, with Egypt asserting their dominance just 180 seconds into the game. Omar Marmoush capitalized on a defensive slip to fire Egypt ahead in the 4th minute. The Pharaohs doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Ramy Rabia rose highest to power home a header from a perfectly placed Salah corner.

Despite an unfortunate own goal by Ahmed Fatouh just before halftime and a late 73rd-minute strike by Guela Doué that kept the Ivorian hopes alive, Egypt's composure was the deciding factor. Salah himself scored the crucial third goal in the 52nd minute, expertly finishing a low cross from Emam Ashour.

The victory maintains Egypt’s historical dominance over Côte d'Ivoire, marking their 11th win in 12 AFCON meetings and making the Ivorians the eighth consecutive champions to fail in their title defense.

The Semi-Final Reunion: Salah vs. Mané

The result confirms a blockbuster semi-final clash between Egypt and Senegal on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Tangier Grand Stadium. This match is being billed as a grudge match and a repeat of the 2021 AFCON final.

For Salah, it represents a chance at redemption after losing that final on penalties to Mané’s Senegal. With both players now in the twilight of their international careers, this match could be the final time these two legends face off on the continent's biggest stage.

The victory was also significant for Salah personally, as he drew level with the legendary Hossam Hassan as Egypt's joint all-time top scorer in AFCON history with 11 goals. As he pursues his first continental trophy, the path ahead is formidable, with the winner of this match set to face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in the final on January 18.

The Full Semi-Final Bracket

With the quarter-finals now complete, the path to the final in Rabat is set. On Wednesday, January 14, Senegal will face Egypt at the Tangier Grand Stadium at 5:00 PM GMT.

Morocco will host Nigeria at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 8:00 PM GMT. Both matches represent the absolute pinnacle of current African football, featuring the host nation, the defending champions, the most decorated side in history, and the continent's most explosive offense.

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