Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast result - Mohamed Salah's goal sends Pharaohs into the AFCON semi-finals

Mohamed Salah scored what proved to be the winner, as Egypt edged out Ivory Coast 3-2 in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

The Pharaohs set up a last-four showdown with Senegal, after narrowly prevailing from a five-goal thriller in Agadir.

Just four minutes had elapsed when Egypt broke the deadlock. Emam Ashour won possession in midfield and quickly found Omar Marmoush, who calmly slotted home.

It was 2-0 in the 32nd minute when Rami Rabia met Salah's corner, with his deflected header looping into the far corner.

Ivory Coast reduced their arrears five minutes before half-time, with Ahmed Abou El Fotouh turning into his own net after a corner was helped into the six-yard box.

Salah restored Egypt's two-goal buffer seven minutes after the break, sliding in to finish at the far post after he was brilliantly found by Ashour.

Guela Doue gave the reigning champions hope when he volleyed in from close range 17 minutes from time, but they could not find the equaliser to force extra-time and keep their title defence alive.

Senegal v Egypt

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The Emirates FA Cup continues this weekend, with the rest of the Premier League sides aiming to avoid joining defending champions Crystal Palace in exiting the third round.

Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations title defence falls at the quarter-final hurdle, after Egypt edged a five-goal thriller in Agadir.

The most popular AFCON fixture, this was the 12th meeting between the nations in the competition.

Egypt had lost just one of the previous 11 encounters, winning all five knockout ties, and goals from Marmoush and Rabia put them in control just after the half-hour mark.

Abou El Fotouh's own-goal before half-time narrowed their deficit, but Salah's sliding finish put them back in command.

Doue's finish meant The Pharaohs were holding on towards the end, as the Ivorians desperately clung onto their title.

However, Egypt did hold on to move within two victories of a record-extending eighth AFCON crown.

Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast have the ball, but cannot find a way through their opponents.

Egypt are almost there...

We are going to play a further five minutes at the end of this game.

Bayo rises to meet a cross from the right, but he cannot steer it either side of the goalkeeper, who gathers.

Can the Ivory Coast find the equalizer, or will Egypt hold on?

The reigning champions are pushing in search of the equaliser.

Egypt maintain their concentration levels during a series of corners.

The Elephants follow suit and Bayo comes on in place of Guessand.

Egypt turn to the bench with Ashour making way to be replaced by Trezeguet for the final 12 minutes.

El Shenawy is down for the Pharaohs and in need of attention.

Thankfully, the goalkeeper is eventually fine to continue.

Hope for the Elephants!

El Shanawy does well to deny Sangare right on the line from an Ivorian corner.

However, Doue improvises well to find the roof of the net with the outside of his boot.

Ivory Coast turn to their bench first with 20 minutes remaining.

Kessie makes way to be replaced by Krasso.

Egypt remain two goals to the good. Can they see out this advantage?

The Elephants look to respond and Inao Oulai's long-range attempt deflects behind for a corner.

From the subsequent delivery, Kessie goes for goal, but cannot keep his attempt down.

Hany is one of the furthest men forward for Egypt, as he charges towards the penalty area.

He unleashes a low drive that Fofana can only spill, but the goalkeeper gets away with it on this occasion.

That was Salah's 11th goal at the Africa Cup of Nations, moving level with head coach Hassan.

Only Hassan El-Shazly (12) has scored more times in the competition for Egypt.