By SCM FOOTBALL REPORTER in Agadir
MO SALAH edged a step closer to his African dream last night as Egypt dethroned the kings of the continent in a five-goal Agadir epic.
The Liverpool talisman was the architect and the executioner, scoring the decisive goal to dump holders Ivory Coast out of the tournament and send the Pharaohs marching into the semi-finals.
In a match that crackled with Premier League quality, Egypt needed just four minutes to draw blood. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush pounced on a defensive slip from Odilon Kossounou to fire a clinical opener past Yahia Fofana.
The Elephants were left reeling further when Salah turned provider on 32 minutes, swinging in a corner that allowed Rami Rabia to rise highest and loop a header into the far corner.
But the defending champions wouldn’t go quietly.
Just before the break, a wicked free-kick caused chaos in the Egyptian box, resulting in an unfortunate own goal by Ahmed Abou El Fotouh to give the Ivorians a lifeline.
The second half belonged to the “Egyptian King.” Seven minutes after the restart, Emam Ashour—the midfield engine who ran the show—delivered a pinpoint low cross. Salah, displaying the predatory instinct that has made him an Anfield legend, ghosted in to poke the ball home and restore the two-goal cushion.
Ivory Coast threw everything forward, and Guela Doue set up a grandstand finish by scrambling home a second for the Elephants in the 73rd minute.
Despite a late siege that saw Arsenal’s Amad Diallo and the Ivorian frontline pepper the Egyptian goal, the record seven-time winners held firm to secure a famous 3-2 victory.
Egypt now face a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Senegal, as Salah looks to finally get his hands on the one trophy that has eluded his glittering career.
