Egypt Ends Ivory Coast's AFCON Run, Reaches Semifinals

Egypt pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets Saturday night, dethroning defending champions Ivory Coast with a 3-2 victory that sends them to the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals.

The match in Agadir showcased the best of African soccer, with five goals and momentum swinging back and forth. Egypt struck first when Omar Marmoush capitalized on a defensive mistake just four minutes in, giving the Pharaohs an early advantage.

Ramy Rabia doubled Egypt's lead before halftime. Though an own goal cut the deficit, team captain Mohamed Salah restored the two-goal cushion right after the restart, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ivory Coast fought back with determination, narrowing the score to 3-2 in the 73rd minute through Guéla Doué. But Egypt held strong through the final 17 minutes, defending their lead and their dream of continental glory.

"We just fight for our country," said the 33-year-old Salah after the match. "And hopefully we will go through after the next game as well."

The Bright Side

Egypt now chases their eighth Africa Cup of Nations title, which would extend their record as the tournament's most decorated nation. The semifinal matchup against Senegal on January 14 promises another showcase of top-tier African talent.

The other semifinal features host nation Morocco against Nigeria, who secured their spot with a 2-0 victory over Algeria. Victor Osimhen led Nigeria's charge with a goal and an assist, proving why his team remains a tournament favorite.

For Algeria's young squad, the tournament provided valuable experience. Captain Riyad Mahrez praised Nigeria's performance while looking ahead optimistically. "They deserved to go through," he said graciously, already focusing on future competitions including the World Cup.

Both semifinal matches take place on January 14, setting up what promises to be an exciting conclusion to this year's tournament in Morocco.