Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and advance to the quarter-finals after the game ended 1-1 in regulation in Agadir. After a goalless first half, Egypt broke the deadlock in the 70th minute through Marwan Attia, who curled a superb strike into the top corner from 25 metres following neat combination play between Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Hany. Mohamed El Shenawy initially saved a deflected effort, but Jodel Dossou reacted quickest to turn in the rebound and force extra time for the Cheetahs. The result brings Benin’s AFCON campaign to an end at the Round of 16, their best-ever finish at the tournament. Seven-time champions Egypt now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s Round of 16 tie between title holders Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 05, 2026 19:04 UTC