By: Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa
Mohamed Salah’s goal was enough to help Egypt hold onto a dramatic 3-2 win over Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast and reach the semi-finals.
Ivory Coast attempted a late second-half comeback, but they fell just short, as the Pharaohs set up a meeting with Senegal in the last four.
Egypt took the lead just four minutes in after winning possession in midfield, with Emam Ashour threading it through to Omar Marmoush, who stood his ground before drilling a low shot past Yahia Fofana.
And they doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Rami Rabia headed Salah’s right-sided corner back across goal and into the near post.
Ivory Coast found a way back into the quarter-final eight minutes later, though, with the unfortunate Ahmed Abou El Fotouh turning it into his own net while attempting to keep out a free-kick.
However, Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion seven minutes into the second half, as he got in front of his defender to guide Ashour’s cross past Fofana first time.
The holders fought back again, though, as Egypt failed to deal with an Amad Diallo corner as Mohamed El Shenawy kept out Ibrahim Sangare’s header, only for Doue to flick the rebound over the line, but Ivory Coast could not find an equaliser to force extra time.
Salah has scored some important goals in his career, and this one will be among those at the top after Egypt secured a sixth straight victory in the AFCON quarter-finals.
He has now scored five goals in his last six games at the tournament, more than in his previous 12 appearances.
Egypt only managed six shots worth 0.81 expected goals (xG), and Salah contributed 0.33 xG to that total with his attempt, while he also created a joint-high two chances for his team-mates.
Ivory Coast, accumulated 1.42 xG from 13 attempts, failed to reach the semi-finals for the fifth time in their last seven AFCON appearances (the two exceptions being their title wins).
