Mohamed Salah scored with virtually the last kick of the game to give Egypt a 3-1 extra-time win over Benin in Agadir and a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

After a goalless first half, Egypt broke the deadlock in the 70th minute through Marwan Attia, who curled a superb strike into the top corner from 25 metres following neat combination play between Salah and Mohamed Hany.

Benin responded 13 minutes later, benefitting from a slice of fortune. Mohamed El Shenawy initially saved a deflected effort, but Jodel Dossou reacted quickest to turn in the rebound and force extra time for the Cheetahs.

The Pharoahs reclaimed the lead again in the seventh minute of extra time, with centre-back Yasser Ibrahim rising highest to connect a header that looped over and beyond Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

The goal came from a short-corner routine, with Marwan Attia delivering the pinpoint cross that found Ibrahim.

As Benin pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, Egypt sealed the win through captain Salah, who carried the ball from inside his own half before calmly lifting it over the advancing Dandjinou.

It was the cherry on the cake of a dominant performance from the North African powerhouse.

The result brings Benin’s AFCON campaign to an end at the Round of 16, their best-ever finish at the tournament.

Seven-time champions Egypt now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s Round of 16 tie between title holders Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.