A second-half goal from Mo Salah gave Egypt a hard-fought victory over Ivory Coast in a dramatic quarter-final tie in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time winners got off to the perfect start in Agadir, with Omar Marmoush pouncing on a mistake from Odilon Kossounou to slide in the opener within four minutes.
And the Pharaohs found themselves two ahead soon enough, with Rami Rabia rising to loop a superb header over Fofana in goal, but Yan Diomande gave Ivory Coast a lifeline before half-time as his free-kick was turned into his own net by Ahmed Abou El Fotouh.
However, while the Elephants finished the second half on top, they found themselves two down once again after the break, Mohamed Salah turning in Emam Ashour’s cross to make it 3-1.
There was plenty of time left for the holders to fight back but they struggled in attack, and while Guela Doue’s improvised finish gave them hope late, it was Salah’s goal that proved the difference as the Pharaohs set up a semi-final against Senegal next week.
Follow all the reaction from the Afcon 2025 quarter-final between Egypt and Ivory Coast below.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast live
- Egypt take on Ivory Coast in Afcon 2025 quarter-finals | Live on E4, kick-off 7pm GMT
- Ivory Coast are the defending champions, having won in dramatic circumstances in 2023
- Egypt are the most successful side at Afcon, having won the tournament seven times
- Winner will face Senegal in Tangier in next week's semi-finals
- 52' GOAL! Salah taps in from close range [EGY 3-1 CIV]
- 40' GOAL! El Fotouh turns into his own net [EGY 2-1 CIV]
- 32' GOAL! Rabia header doubles Egypt's lead [EGY 2-0 CIV]
- 4' GOAL! Marmoush slots past Fofana early on [EGY 1-O CIV]
Afcon 2025: Fixtures, results and quarter-final schedule in full from Africa Cup of Nations
22:00 , Chris WilsonHere is the schedule and kick-off times for the semi-finals and beyond:
Afcon 2025: Fixtures, results, tables and schedule in full from Africa Cup of Nations
'Salah will be really, really happy'
21:50 , Chris WilsonFormer Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has also been relfecting on the result.
“Mo Salah will be really, really happy with his contribution. He's free, he's relaxed and he's playing well,” he says on E4.
“I hope he takes this form back to Liverpool because there's been a lot of criticism that he's not playing well for Liverpool.
“He carries the weight of expectations for Liverpool and his national team on his shoulders,” he adds.
Afcon 2025: How to watch every match for free on TV and online
21:40 , Chris WilsonThe Africa Cup of Nations is hotting up with the knockout stages bringing drama and every game will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.
The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game on Channel 4, E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Okocha: Salah 'a player we're all proud of'
21:30 , Chris WilsonFormer Nigeria international Jay Jay Okocha is speaking after the match on E4.
“Credit to Egypt, who came to the party from the outset and controlled the game,” he says.
“They made it difficult by letting Ivory Coast into it, but they showed more desire.
“What a goal by Mohamed Salah. It's a 9/10 goal. You can't doubt Salah's ability to keep performing at this level. He looks like a young Mo Salah.
“We've all witnessed the dip in form but it happens and it's not enough to write off what he's done for Egypt and Liverpool over the years.
“You can't strike off the history he's made and he keeps chasing it. He's a player we're all proud of,” he adds.
FULL-TIME! Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
21:25 , Chris WilsonContrasting emotions at full-time...
Afcon schedule
21:20 , Chris WilsonHere’s the remaining schedule for the tournament then:
Semi-finals: Wednesday, 14 January
SF1: Senegal vs Egypt, Tangier (17:00)
SF2: Morocco vs Nigeria, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (20:00)
Third place play-off: Saturday, 17 January
SF1 vs SF2 losers, Casablanca (16:00)
Final: Sunday, 18 January
SF1 vs SF2 winners, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (19:00)
Salah: 'We have to just carry on'
21:10 , Chris WilsonMo Salah briefly speaks on E4 after that huge win.
“Hopefully we go through the next game as well, but we gave it our best,” he explains.
“The only thing I’ll say is we fight so hard, so I’m glad I see that from the players and mangers. We have to just carry on and be our best as a team,” he adds.
FULL-TIME! Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
21:02 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:55 , Chris WilsonThe full-time whistle goes and Egypt have done it again! They have another win over Ivory Coast and dump the holders out of the tournament!
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:54 , Chris Wilson90 +4 mins
Egypt doing well to break up play late on here. Is there time for a final chance?
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:54 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
Still Ivory Coast attack, still there are no gaps in open play. Egypt are standing firm for now.
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:52 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
A late sub for Egypt as Marmoush makes way for Mostafa Mohamed.
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:50 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Into the first of five minutes of added time in Agadir. Can Ivory Coast find an equaliser?
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:50 , Chris Wilson89 mins
Late subs for Ivory Coast as Inao and Diomande come off for Seko Fofana and Bazoumana Traore.
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:47 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Half a chance for Bayo as the cross comes in from the left but he can’t get enough power on the header and it doesn’t trouble El Shenawy.
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:45 , Chris Wilson84 mins
It’s almost constant possession for Ivory Coast as we approach the end of the 90. Can they find another big chance?
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:43 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Some trickery in the box from Amad wins his side a corner.
The first one is headed behind for another, and there’s a break in play before the second as Attia is down.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast have brought on Bayo for Guessand.
The second corner is headed behind by Fathi but the referee somehow gives a goal kick!
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:38 , Chris Wilson77 mins
The Ivory Coast pump a ball into the box but it’s cleared, though Egypt can’t fashion a chance on the counter.
The Pharaohs bring on Trezeguet for Ashour in midfield.
Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:37 , Chris Wilson75 mins
So, this fascinating tie continues. We have a brief break in play but we’re restarted again.
GOAL! Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
20:34 , Chris Wilson73 mins
GOAL! Ivory Coast are back in it again!
It’s another set-piece too, as Amad swings a corner in towards the back post. It’s headed back across goal and there’s a great save in there somewhere, before Doue flicks a lovely improvised finish into the roof of the net!
Game on!
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:31 , Chris Wilson71 mins
The Ivory Coast make a sub as Kessie comes off for Jean-Philippe Krasso.
The Elephants are still enjoying plenty of possession but there are no gaps in the Egypt defence, while Salah and co, look dangerous on the counter.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:29 , Chris Wilson69 mins
A yellow card for Hossam Abdelmaguid as he scythes down his opponent to prevent a counter.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:27 , Chris Wilson68 mins
Egypt are happy to cede possession to the holders at the moment, with Ivory Coast not having created many openings so far aside from their goal,
The Pharaohs have all their men behind the ball as they rob possession and counter quickly, with Salah winning a corner at the other end after a solid break.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:24 , Chris Wilson65 mins
Half a chance for Ivory Coast as the ball in from the corner eventually comes to Kessie, but his attempted lob flies over from inside the box.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:22 , Chris Wilson62 mins
A break in play here as Marmoush is down following a collision with Inao.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:20 , Chris Wilson59 mins
A chance for Egypt here as Attia races clear before firing a shot too close to the ‘keeper.
Marmoush nicks the rebound away from Fofana and goes down - he wants a penalty, but it’s waved away.
Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:18 , Chris Wilson56 mins
Plenty of possession for the Ivory Coast but again it’s too predictable, with Diomande running the ball out of play as he attempted to get to the byline.
GOAL! Egypt 3-1 Ivory Coast
20:13 , Chris Wilson52 mins
GOAL! Egypt have a third and could that seal it!?
The Pharaohs break quickly and Rabia finds Ashour, who gets into the box and fizzes a lovely ball across with the putside of his foot.
It’s inch-perfect into the path of Salah, who taps a finish in from point-blank range to make it 3-1!
Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
20:08 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Plenty of Ivory Coast possession to start with in the second half, though no chances yet.
KICK-OFF! Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
20:05 , Chris WilsonWe’re back underway in Agadir! Can Ivory Coast find an equaliser in the next 45, or will Egypt seal it?
HALF-TIME! Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
20:01 , Chris WilsonIt’s been an intriguing half for the neutral in Agadir, with both sides playing well in spells and some real moments of quality for all of the goals.
However, it’s the Pharaohs who find themselves ahead at the break courtesy of a quicker start, though the Elephants were fighting back well before the half-time whistle.
All to play for in the second half, and we’ll be back underway soon.
HALF-TIME! Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:56 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:49 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and Egypt head into the break with a slender lead in Agadir!
It’s been a fascinating quarter-final tie, but the Pharaohs leads courtesy of a quick start and two well-taken goals, though the holders are still in this game!
Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:48 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
A late chance for Diomande as the half comes to an end but he can’t get a shot away and is closed down.
Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:47 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Into the first of two minutes of added time here.
Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:45 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Well then! Ivory Coast hadn’t threatened too much in terms of clear-cut chances but they find themselves back in it thanks to a real moment of quality from Diomande, whose delivery just needed one glancing touch to take it in.
The youngster delivers a corner as the Elephants look for an equaliser before half-time, but it’s cleared away.
GOAL! Egypt 2-1 Ivory Coast
19:41 , Chris Wilson40 mins
GOAL! Ivory Coast are back in it!
The free-kick comes in from Diomande and it’s a superb delivery to the front post.
Koussounou glances it on towards goal and it hits Abou El Fotouh, and the defender can’t do anything to stop it going over the line!
Egypt 2-0 Ivory Coast
19:39 , Chris Wilson38 mins
Ivory Coast have had plenty of possession but it’s all been too predictable in the final third - work it wide, cross and repeat.
It hasn’t worked so far but Diomande does win a free-kick in a dangerous area on the wing.
Egypt 2-0 Ivory Coast
19:36 , Chris Wilson35 mins
Egypt press for a third here but the shot goes well wide in the end.
Ivory Coast go up the other end but Doue can’t find a teammate with the cross.
GOAL! Egypt 2-0 Ivory Coast
19:32 , Chris Wilson32 mins
GOAL! Egypt have a second against the run of play!
It’s a lovely goal too, as Rami Rabia rises at the back post to loop a header past Fofana and into the far side-netting!
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:30 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Half a chance for Guessand again as he rises highest but can only head Dioamande’s free-kick straight at the ‘keeper.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:29 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Some space opening up when both sides have the ball, though Marmoush just found himself without support despite a promising run into the Ivory Coast half.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:26 , Chris Wilson26 mins
The Ivory Coast have certainly grown into the match over the last 10 minutes or so, though they’re yet to fashion a real clear-cut chance so far.
They’re beginning to enjoy more sustained possession though.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:23 , Chris Wilson23 mins
A series of half-chances from the holders, forcing some pinball in the Egypt area beforfe Guessand fires wide from a cross.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:21 , Chris Wilson21 mins
CHANCE! Marmoush delivers a free-kick from deep and Fofana comes out but gets nowhere near it, but Ibrahim heads well over the bar with the goal gaping!
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:19 , Chris Wilson17 mins
CLOSE! The first big chance for the Ivory Coast as Ibrahim slips and they pounce near the edge of the box, with the cutback finding Sangare unmarked. He takes the shot from near the penalty spot but it’s blocked, and the flag goes up when the Elephants try to collect the rebound.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:14 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Egypt look fairly dangerous pretty much every time they go forward, though Attia can’t get the cross past the first man this time round.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:12 , Chris Wilson12 mins
Marmoush thinks he’s almost clean through – and could have won a penalty as he’s clipped and goes down – but it turns out he’d strayed offside.
It’s been a fairly torrid opening period for the holders, though they have looked fairly settled when they’re in possession.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:10 , Chris Wilson9 mins
The Ivory Coast are still trying to settle as they look to recover from conceding early, and Guessand does well to win a free-kick around 35 yards out.
Amad swings it in but the Pharaohs clear for now.
Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:08 , Chris Wilson6 mins
What can the Ivory Coast muster up in response to falling behind early?
Amad beats his man in his first 1-v-1 but sees his cross turned behind for a corner.
The ball comes in but Egypt manage to head it clear.
GOAL! Egypt 1-0 Ivory Coast
19:05 , Chris Wilson3 mins
GOAL! There’s barely been any time to settle and Egypt are ahead!
It’s Omar Marmoush who opens the scoring, latching onto a forward pass and knocking Kossounou off the ball before racing into the box and sliding a low finish past Fofana.
KICK-OFF! Egypt 0-0 Ivory Coast
19:00 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in the final quarter-final at Afcon 2025/26!
Egypt face Ivory Coast for a place in next week’s semi-final against Senegal.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast
18:55 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are emerging from the tunnel in Agadir, so we’ll be underway soon.
Can the holders advance to the last four tonight, or will the competition’s most successful team make it to yet another semi-final?
Egypt vs Ivory Coast - live
18:49 , Chris Wilson
How to watch the game
18:43 , Chris WilsonKick-off is in just over 15 minutes in Agadir, so here’s a final reminder on how you can watch this afternoon’s match.
Egypt v Ivory Coast will kick off at 7pm GMT on Saturday, 10 January, 2026 at the Adrar Stadium. The match will be shown live on E4.
Afcon records
18:36 , Chris WilsonThese two sides are among the most successful in the competition’s history – in fact, Egypt are the outright most successful side at Afcon, having won it a record seven times.
The Pharaohs won the first two editions of Afcon in 1957 and 1959, but were forced to wait 27 years for their third win, which came in 1986.
Another win came 12 years later in 1998, before their period of dominance in the 2000s, in which they won three straight tournaments – 2006, 2008 & 2010.
They beat an Ivory Coast squad including Didier Drogba in 2006, before beating Cameroon in 2008 and then World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana in 2010!
The Ivory Coast - who won the last Afcon in 2023 – have also seen a fair bit of continental success, winning the tournament three times.
Those other wins came in 1992 and 2015, with the golden generation of Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Salomon Kalou and Seydou Doumbia finally delivering a win.
Afcon 2025 top scorers
18:28 , Chris WilsonBrahim Diaz leads the way after his latest strike last night for Morocco but any of Lookman, Mahrez, Osimhen, Salah and Amad could close the gap today:
1. Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – 5 goals.
2. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 3 goals.
3. Amad Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire) – 3 goals.
4. Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco) – 3 goals.
5. Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) – 3 goals.
6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 3 goals.
7. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 3 goals.
8. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – 3 goals.
Afcon semi-finals
18:20 , Chris WilsonHere is the line-up so far for the semi-finals then:
Wednesday, 14 January
Senegal vs Egypt/Ivory Coast - Tangier, 5pm GMT
Morocco vs Nigeria - Rabat, 8pm GMT
Team news
18:18 , Chris WilsonEgypt have made three changes to the side that beat Benin. Trézéguet, Ibrahim Adel and Mohamed Hamdy make way for Hossam Abdelmaguid, Emam Ashour and Ahmed Abou El Fotouh.
Team news
18:13 , Chris WilsonIvory Coast boss Emerse Faé has named the same starting XI to the one that beat Burkina Faso in the last 16. Franck Kessié, Ibrahima Sangare and Christ Inao Oulai are deployed in midfield, with Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande and Evann Guessand leading the line.
Line-ups
18:06 , Chris WilsonIvory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Inao; Diallo, Guessand, Diomande.
Subs: Diomande, Michael, Zohouri, Fofana, Hakoun, Zaha, Boly, Philippe, Christopher, Diakite, Kone, Emmanuel, Alban, Diomande, Philippe.
𝘕𝘰𝘴 11 𝘌́𝘭𝘦́𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 🐘🇨🇮#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/tequgqRTIr
— Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮🐘 (@FIFCI_tweet) January 10, 2026
Line-ups
18:03 , Chris WilsonEgypt XI: Shenawy; Hany, Abdelmegeed, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Fathy, Attia, Ashour; Salah, Marmoush.
🇪🇬#egyptnt pic.twitter.com/MwyCfJa7re
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) January 10, 2026
Team news
17:56 , Chris WilsonLine-ups will be cinfirmed in the next five minutes or so – here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides.
Mahmoud Trezeguet Hassan is feared to have torn his ligaments in the win over Benin, meaning he, alongside Mohamed Hamdy, will be out for the rest of the tournament.
Christ Inao Oulai is out through suspension for the Elephants. Odilon Kossounou picked up a knock against Burkina Faso, with Ousmane Diomande likely to replace him if he can’t go.
Last night's quarter-finals
17:50 , Lawrence OstlereThe hosts Morocco sealed their first Afcon semi-final since 2004 with a convincing win over Cameroon.
Brahim Diaz scored for the fifth game in a row at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final clash to keep alive their hopes of a first continental title in 50 years.
Ismael Saibari was also on target in another workmanlike display in which Morocco were efficient enough, but also created little in the way of chances, netting from two of their three shots on target.
Cameroon had a strong shout for a penalty in the second half after what looked like a foul on Bryan Mbeumo but they too battled in the final third and did not force home goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a save in the 90 minutes.
Morocco, who have yet to concede a goal in open play at the finals, face the winner of this quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the next round, a tie that will be played in Rabat on Wednesday.
Last night's quarter-finals
17:40 , Lawrence OstlereIliman Ndiaye scored the only goal as Senegal booked a semi-final berth at the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in the last four tournaments, beating 10-man Mali 1–0 in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Ndiaye struck after 27 minutes, capitalising on a goalkeeping error to put Senegal ahead in a tense derby against their West African neighbours.
Mali were reduced to 10 men for the second half after captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second booking on the stroke of half-time. He had been cautioned earlier for a clumsy challenge in the 25th minute and was dismissed following a needless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The Malians had also gone down to 10 men from the 26th minute of their previous clash against Tunisia and still managed to progress on penalties, but there was no such recovery this time against a polished Senegal side.
Predicted line-ups
17:28 , Chris WilsonEgypt predicted XI: El Shenawy; Fatouh, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hany; Adel, Fathy, Attia; Ashour, Marmoush, Salah
Ivory Coast predicted XI: Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana; Diallo, Guessand, Diomande
Team news
17:20 , Chris WilsonChrist Inao Oulai is out through suspension for the Elephants. Odilon Kossounou picked up a knock against Burkina Faso, with Ousmane Diomande likely to replace him if he can’t go.
Team news
17:15 , Chris WilsonMahmoud Trezeguet Hassan is feared to have torn his ligaments in the win over Benin, meaning he, alongside Mohamed Hamdy, will be out for the rest of the tournament.
When is Egypt v Ivory Coast?
17:11 , Chris WilsonEgypt v Ivory Coast will kick off at 7pm GMT on Saturday, 10 January, 2026 in the Adrar Stadium, Morocco.
How can I watch it?
Every Afcon match will be shown on Channel 4’s network, with E4 starting coverage at 6.30pm GMT, including a live stream for mobile users on All 4 and a live blog right here at Independent Sport.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast - live
17:01 , Chris WilsonDefending champions Ivory Coast take on Egypt in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mohamed Salah has put his troubles at Liverpool behind him for the time being and is now eyeing up a place in the last four with the Pharaohs, after a tense finish in extra-time to squeeze past Benin.
The Elephants stand in the way of an eighth title for Hossam Hassan’s side, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the last 16.
Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure scored for Emerse Faé’s side, who are gathering pace in pursuit of back-to-back titles.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast - live
16:32 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Afcon 2025 quarter-final between Egypt and Ivory Coast in Agadir. It should be a great game between two of the most successful sides in tournament history.
All the team news and build-up can be found right here ahead of kick-off at 7pm GMT...
