Egypt booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a hard-earned 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin, extending their unbeaten head-to-head run against the Cheetahs to five matches.

Given the unconvincing way both sides emerged from the group stage, expectations were modest, and the opening half did little to raise the tempo. Egypt enjoyed the brighter start, coming close to an early breakthrough inside eight minutes when Omar Marmoush was sent clean through on goal. However, opting against an immediate shot proved costly as Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou rushed out to dispossess him.

Benin’s approach in the first half was largely cautious, with their focus firmly on staying in the contest. Their limited attacking ambition produced just one notable moment, as Junior Olaitan’s long-range free-kick was comfortably gathered by Mohamed El Shenawy. At the other end, Marmoush again threatened when a loose ball fell kindly in the box, but his tame effort was blocked before it could trouble the goalkeeper.

Making their first AFCON knockout appearance since 2019, Benin showed renewed belief after the break and nearly stunned Egypt shortly after the hour mark. Substitute Jodel Dossou latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball, but El Shenawy reacted quickly, racing off his line to deny the forward from close range.

Egypt finally broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion with 69 minutes played. A low cut-back from the byline found Marwan Attia on the edge of the area, and the midfielder rifled a first-time strike into the top-left corner, igniting celebrations among the Egyptian supporters.

Yet Benin refused to surrender. With just seven minutes remaining in normal time, Dossou pounced on a rebound from close range to level the match dramatically and force extra-time.

Any Egyptian nerves were quickly settled seven minutes into the additional period when Attia turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross that Yasser Ibrahim met with a looping header over Dandjinou to restore the Pharaohs’ advantage. That goal proved decisive, sapping the belief from Benin’s ranks.

As Benin pushed forward in desperation, Egypt struck again on the counter in the final minute of extra time. Mohamed Salah capped the performance with a composed finish to seal the victory and confirm safe passage to the last eight.

Egypt will now face either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso on Saturday as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending eighth AFCON title. The seven-time champions are now just three wins away from lifting the trophy for the first time since 2010.