3–1! The seven-time AFCON champions nearly crash out, but Salah redeems himself with an extra-time lob to send them into the quarterfinals, where they’ll face the defending champs.

On January 6 (Beijing time), Egypt—ranked 35th in the world—were pushed to the limit by surprise package Benin in an AFCON Round of 16 showdown. After a tense 1–1 draw in regulation, Egypt struck twice in extra time and eventually won 3–1, narrowly booking a place in the quarterfinals.

Egypt advanced as Group B winners, while Benin—one of the tournament’s biggest underdogs—qualified as third in Group D. Despite the clear gap on paper, Benin defended stubbornly and forced Egypt into a long, draining battle.

Egypt missed an early golden chance in the 8th minute when Salah slipped a perfect through ball to Marmoush, but the City forward couldn’t get past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Egypt wasted another big opportunity in the 55th minute as Rabia’s close-range effort was blocked.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute: Hany cut the ball back, and Attia curled a superb shot into the corner to make it 1–0. But Benin refused to fold. In the 83rd minute, after a cross and a scramble in the box, Dosu followed up to score the equalizer, making it 1–1.

Egypt nearly won it late on, but Salah’s 88th-minute attempt was saved, sending the match to extra time.

Seven minutes into extra time, Egypt regained the lead as Attia delivered into the area and Ibrahim scored with a looping header. Then, in the 124th minute, with Benin pushing forward, Egypt countered and Salah noticed the keeper off his line—finishing with a brilliant long-range chip to seal the 3–1 win.

Egypt advance to the quarterfinals, where the seven-time AFCON champions will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso.