### Egypt Triumphs Over Benin in AFCON 2025 Round of 16: Salah's Late Heroics In a thrilling encounter during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, Egypt secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Benin in the Round of 16, thanks to a dramatic late goal from star player Mohamed Salah. The match, held on January 5, 2026, saw Egypt initially take the lead but face a surprising equalizer from Benin, pushing the game into extra time where Salah sealed the win with a stunning strike. This victory propels Egypt into the quarter-finals, continuing their quest for a record eighth AFCON title. ### Breakdown of the Match Dynamics and Key Events 1. **Match Overview**: - Egypt dominated possession and created numerous chances but struggled to convert until the 69th minute when Marwan Attia scored the opener. - Benin equalized in the 83rd minute through Jodel Dossou, forcing the match into extra time. 2. **Key Players**: - **Mohamed Salah**: Scored the final goal in extra time, marking his third goal of the tournament and showcasing his critical role in Egypt's success [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/football/egypt-vs-benin-africa-cup-of-nations-2025-mohamed-salah-in-pics]. - **Marwan Attia**: Opened the scoring for Egypt, setting the stage for a tense finish [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/salah-seals-afcon-last-16-victory-for-egypt-over-brave-benin-1928625]. 3. **Match Statistics**: - **Final Score**: Egypt 3, Benin 1 - **Goals**: - Marwan Attia (69') - Jodel Dossou (Benin, 83') - Yasser Ibrahim (Extra Time, 107') - Mohamed Salah (Extra Time, 120') - Egypt's ability to score in extra time highlights their resilience and tactical prowess [https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2026/01/06/salah-seals-egypt-win-osimhen-leads-nigeria-cup-nations-quarters]. ### Evidence Supporting Egypt's Performance and Future Prospects - **Historical Context**: Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, has a strong pedigree in the tournament, and their performance against Benin reinforces their status as a formidable team despite the challenges faced [https://www.zambiamonitor.com/egypt-crush-benin-3-1-seal-quarter-final-spot]. - **Salah's Impact**: The statistic that Egypt does not lose when Salah scores emphasizes his importance to the team's success [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/afcon-2025-salah-scores-egypt-112500810.html]. - **Upcoming Challenges**: Egypt will face a tough quarter-final match against either the defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso, with Salah downplaying expectations of being favorites [https://www.sbnews.co.za/egypt-forward-salah-downplays-afcon-glory-talk-following-knockout-stage-winegypt-forward-salah-downplays-afcon-glory-talk-ahead-of-quarter‑final-clash-against-ivory-coast]. ### Conclusion: Egypt's Path Forward in AFCON 2025 In summary, Egypt's 3-1 victory over Benin in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 showcases their resilience and tactical strength, particularly highlighted by Mohamed Salah's late-game heroics. 1. **Key Takeaways**: - Egypt demonstrated dominance but faced unexpected challenges from Benin. - Salah's performance was pivotal, reinforcing his status as a key player for the Pharaohs. - The upcoming quarter-final match will test Egypt's mettle against a strong opponent. 2. **Future Outlook**: - With their quarter-final match approaching, Egypt must build on this momentum while addressing the vulnerabilities exposed during the match against Benin [https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/01/06/mohamed-salah-says-egypt-not-favourites-to-win-afcon-after-hard-fought-win-over-benin]. This victory not only advances Egypt in the tournament but also sets the stage for a potential championship run, contingent on their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.