Africa Cup of Nations – Malmush scores a quick goal and Salah assists as Egypt defeats Ivory Coast 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals have concluded, with Egypt defeating defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 at the Adelaide Stadium. This victory propels them into the semi-finals, where they will face Senegal, led by Sadio Mane.

Just four minutes into the game, Imam Ashur delivered a long pass from midfield, precisely finding Omar Malmush who was making a high-speed run forward. Malmush then dribbled past Odilon Kosunou and broke into the penalty area before slotting the ball into the net, giving Egypt a dream start.

Trailing by one goal, Ivory Coast launched a fierce counterattack. In the 23rd minute, Guerra Doue delivered a cross from the right wing, and Evan Guessan's header in the penalty area went just wide. In the 30th minute, Guessan again headed a cross from Yan Diomande in the center of the penalty area, but it was easily saved by Mohamed Shinawatra. In the 32nd minute, Egypt further extended their lead: Mohamed Salah took a corner from the right, and Rami Rabia headed the ball into the net at the far post.

In the 40th minute, an unexpected incident occurred: Diomande's free-kick cross from the left caused chaos in the Egyptian penalty area, and Ahmed Fotouh inadvertently scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball. Ivory Coast thus pulled one back, going into halftime with a 1-2 score.

At the start of the second half, Egypt took the initiative again. In the 52nd minute, Ashur broke through on the left and crossed the ball into the box, where Salah pounced to score and extend Egypt's lead. In the 73rd minute, Amad Diallo's corner kick from the right created chaos in the opponent's penalty area, and Due capitalized on the opportunity to score on the rebound. Neither side managed to find the net again, and Egypt ultimately prevailed by one goal to advance to the semi-finals against Ivory Coast.