Egypt 3–2 Ivory Coast: Salah sets new AFCON milestone as Pharaohs end Elephants’ title defence | OneFootball

Ivory Coast’s defence of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title ended after they fell to a 3–2 defeat against Egypt at the Stade Adrar on Saturday.

Omar Marmoush got Egypt off to a flying start, opening the scoring inside the fourth minute.

The Manchester City forward outmuscled his marker to receive a pass from Emam Ashour before picking out the far corner to net his second goal of the tournament.

Egypt doubled their advantage after the half-hour mark from a corner-kick delivered by captain Mohamed Salah, which Rami Rabia headed into the bottom-right corner.

Just when the Pharaohs appeared set to head into the break with a two-goal lead, Ahmed Fatouh inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to halve Ivory Coast’s deficit.

Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion after the break following a beautiful team move. Ashour collected a pass over the top before slipping in the Liverpool forward, who applied the finish.

Salah has now scored against 11 different teams at AFCON, the most of any player in the competition’s history.

Egypt nearly added to their tally when Salah picked out Mohamed Hany, but goalkeeper Yahia Fofana saved his effort.

Guela Doue pulled one back for the defending champions in the 73rd minute with a right-footed shot from close range, setting the game up for a tense finale.

Substitute Vakoun Bayo almost completed the comeback with a headed effort, but Mohamed El Shenawy was equal to the task.

Egypt will now face Senegal in next Wednesday’s semi-final at the Tangier Grand Stadium. Senegal beat Mali 1-0 to reach the last four.