Egypt Advances To AFCON Quarter-finals As Attia Stars Against Benin

Egypt reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a 3-1 extra-time win over Benin, with Marwan Attia central to the result. Attia scored in normal time, then created the first extra-time goal, before Mohamed Salah and Yasser Ibrahim completed the scoring.

The match looked settled when Attia struck in the 69th minute, yet Benin forced extra time through Jodel Dossou’s late leveller. Across the 120 minutes, Egypt created more chances and showed greater composure in both penalty areas to move on in the tournament.

The opening 45 minutes brought few clear sights of goal for either side, though Egypt carried the bigger threat. Mohamed Hamdy’s cross dropped to Omar Marmoush inside the box, but Yohan Roche reacted on the line, clearing a weak

effort that never fully tested Marcel Dandjinou.

Egypt increased the pressure after half-time. Rami Rabia thought he had broken through when a set-piece fell kindly, yet Tamimou Ouorou threw himself across goal and blocked on the line. At the other end, Mohamed El Shenawy denied Dossou, smothering a shot after Benin broke from midfield.

Attia finally opened the scoring when Egypt worked the ball to the edge of the penalty area in the 69th minute. Mohamed Hany cut the ball back to the midfielder, who took a touch and guided a precise shot into the top-left corner from just outside the D.

Benin responded with late pressure as Egypt tried to protect the lead. El Shenawy misplaced a pass, allowing Junior Olaitan to collect possession and attack down the flank. Olaitan’s cross forced El Shenawy to retreat, and Dossou reacted first, finishing the loose ball from close range on 83 minutes.

Seven minutes into extra time, Egypt used a short corner to regain control. A quick pass found Attia on the angle, and Attia curled a measured cross towards the penalty spot. Yasser Ibrahim met it with a looping header that dropped into the same top-left corner.

Emam Ashour then went close, sending a dipping effort narrowly over as Egypt hunted breathing space. The final goal arrived deep into extra-time stoppage time, when Egypt broke at speed and Salah advanced into space before drilling a powerful strike from distance past Dandjinou.

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙋𝙃𝘼𝙍𝘼𝙊𝙃𝙎' 𝙅𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙉𝙀𝙔 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙀𝙎 #egyptnt pic.twitter.com/j1bk5ggb1IEgypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) January 5, 2026

Egypt vs Benin AFCON data shows balanced xG but higher Egyptian pressure

Numbers from the round-of-16 tie underline how tight the game stayed. Expected goals finished level at 1.22 for each team, helped by Salah’s late strike. Egypt attempted 12 shots to Benin’s eight, with seven Egyptian attempts on target across normal time and extra time.

Attia’s influence extended beyond the basic goal and assist. The midfielder’s finish carried an xG value of 0.09, yet changed the contest. Attia created two chances and registered one assist, while also playing 23 passes in the final third, matching Salah for the highest figure on the pitch.