Egypt vs Benin Player Ratings: Salah Leads Pharaohs into AFCON Quarter-Finals with a 3-1 Win in Extra-Time

The Africa Cup of Nations clash between Egypt and Benin was full of drama, tension, and a few heart-stopping moments. Egypt National Football team may be one of Africa’s giants, but Benin pushed them all the way and refused to back down.

The first half was tight and cautious, with both teams absorbing the pressure of the knockouts. Chances were limited, and neither side wanted to make a costly mistake. Benin stayed well organised and made life difficult for the Pharaohs, who struggled to find their rhythm for long spells.

The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when Marwan Ateya unleashed a brilliant strike to put Egypt ahead. It looked like the winning moment, but Benin had other plans. Showing real fight, substitute Jodel Dossou popped up late with an equaliser, sending the match into extra time, which stunned the Egyptian supporters.

Extra time is where one of the best African teams Egypt’s experience came to picture. Yasser Ibrahim powered in a header to restore the lead before Mohamed Salah wrapped things up with a calm finish. Although Egypt managed a 3-1 win, Benin deserved huge credit for a performance full of courage and belief.

Sportsdunia brings you Egypt vs Benin Player Ratings.

Egypt Player Ratings vs Benin

Goalkeeper

Mohamed El Shenawy - 6.5: Had a relatively quiet first half. He made a couple of important saves when called upon, especially one from inside the box. He couldn't do much about the goal he conceded; it was a close-range finish. Distributed the ball reasonably well, though his accuracy could have been better. A steady, if not spectacular, performance.

Defenders

Mohamed Hany - 7.5: A solid outing from the right-back. He provided the crucial assist for the opening goal with a smart pass. He was a constant outlet on the right flank, winning most of his duels and contributing going forward. Defensively, he was diligent, making 5 tackles. What stood out to us was his energy to get up and down the pitch for the full 120 minutes.

Ramy Rabia - 7.0: A bit of a mixed bag from the center-back. He was a dominant force in the air, winning 7 aerial duels and making an incredible 13 clearances. However, he picked up a silly yellow card for a handball and missed a big chance. His passing from the back was excellent, though, finding his target 92% of the time. A commanding but slightly flawed display.

Yasser Ibrahim - 9.0: What a colossal performance. He was a rock at the back from start to finish, winning 11 duels and making 12 clearances. He blocked three shots, showing incredible desire to defend his goal. To top it all off, he scored the vital go-ahead goal in extra time with a brilliant header. From our perspective, he was just as deserving of the Man of the Match award as Salah. A complete central defensive performance.

Mohamed Hamdi - 6.0: A difficult evening for the left-back, which was unfortunately cut short by injury just before halftime. He struggled to get into the game, losing possession frequently and winning only one of his seven duels. He just didn't seem to be at the races. We hope the injury isn't a serious one.

Midfielders

Hamdy Fathy - 7.0: A workhorse performance in the middle of the park. He was everywhere, making 111 touches and winning all four of his tackles. He did commit four fouls and picked up a booking, showing his combative nature. He created a big chance but also showed some frustration at times. A tireless and disruptive presence for his team.

Marwan Ateya - 8.5: An outstanding performance, capped with a goal and an assist. He broke the deadlock with a fantastic long-range strike. His defensive contribution was immense, recovering the ball 11 times and making 5 interceptions. He was the engine room for Egypt, and his vision to set up the extra-time winner was sublime. An all-action display.

Mahmoud Trezeguet - 6.5: A quiet game by his standards before being forced off with an injury around the hour mark. He showed flashes of his ability and worked hard for the team. He was tidy in possession but couldn't quite produce a decisive moment. His departure seemed to spark a change in Egypt's attacking impetus.

Forwards

Mohamed Salah - 9.5: The star man delivered when it mattered most. He was a constant threat, completing all five of his dribbles and creating three chances. He set up a huge opportunity for a teammate and eventually got his deserved goal to seal the victory in extra time. Despite being dispossessed a few times, his persistence paid off. A captain's performance and our Man of the Match.

Ibrahim Adel - 6.0: A tough night for the young midfielder who was substituted after 59 minutes. He worked hard off the ball, making four tackles, but struggled to make an impact in an attacking sense. He lost eight of his duels and just couldn't get into the flow of the game. A learning experience for him.

Omar Marmoush - 6.5: He was a willing runner and battled hard, but it wasn't his night in front of goal. He missed a big chance and often found his final ball or shot lacking. He did win a decent number of his duels and showed some good moments. He was substituted late in extra time after running himself into the ground.

Substitutes

Ahmed Abou El Fotouh - 6.5: Came on for the injured Hamdi and provided more stability on the left side. He was solid defensively but picked up a yellow card in extra time.

Zizo - 7.0: His introduction added a spark to Egypt's attack. He created a great chance for Salah almost immediately. Looked lively.

Emam Ashour - 7.0: Replaced Trezeguet and brought fresh energy. He wasn't afraid to shoot from distance and looked determined to make an impact.

Mostafa Mohamed - N/A: Brought on in the 119th minute with little time to influence the game.

Manager

H. Hussein - 7.5: His team looked a bit static in the first half, but his substitutions made a real difference. Bringing on Zizo and Ashour changed the dynamic of the attack. He managed the game well through a tense extra-time period to secure the win. A successful, if nerve-wracking, day at the office.

Benin Player Ratings vs Egypt

Goalkeeper

Marcel Dandjinou - 6.0: Conceded three goals, but he couldn't be faulted for any of them. He made two important saves, including a great stop to deny Salah in the second half. His distribution was a bit wayward, but he commanded his area well with a couple of good high claims. A decent effort in a losing cause.

Defenders

Tamimou Ouorou - 6.5: A very busy night for the defender. He was tenacious in the tackle, winning four of his five attempts. However, he lost possession a staggering 25 times, which put his team under pressure. He did make one crucial clearance off the line, which kept his team in it for a while.

Yohan Roche - 6.5: He put his body on the line with a goal-line clearance and a blocked shot. He was composed in possession, with an 83% pass accuracy. However, he struggled at times with the movement of Egypt's forwards, and was substituted at the start of the second half of extra time.

Olivier Verdon - 6.0: The captain had a steady game at the back. He organized his defense well and was strong in his distribution, particularly with his long balls. However, he only won two of his four duels and was part of a defense that ultimately conceded three goals. A performance that was solid but not spectacular.

Mohamed Tijani - 6.0: Similar to his defensive partners, a solid but unspectacular evening. He was tidy on the ball, but was part of a backline that was breached three times. He picked up a yellow card and made five clearances. A standard defensive shift.

Midfielders

Imourane Hassane - 6.0: A battling performance in midfield, though he was dribbled past three times. He recovered the ball nine times and made three interceptions, showing good defensive awareness. His passing was mostly safe and he struggled to impose himself on the game going forward. An industrious but limited display.

Sessi D'Almeida - 6.5: Incredibly tidy in possession, completing 97% of his passes before being subbed off. He was a calming presence in a frantic midfield battle. He won a decent number of duels and kept things ticking over. Perhaps lacked a bit of creative spark but did his job effectively.

Rodolfo Aloko - 6.5: A combative display from the midfielder who was everywhere before his injury. He contested 15 duels and was a disruptive force, though he also committed three fouls. He even created a chance with a key pass. His forced substitution late in normal time was a blow for his team.

Junior Olaitan - 5.0: A really difficult game for the midfielder. From our perspective, he was a major weak link. He lost possession an unbelievable 37 times and lost 11 duels. While he worked hard and recovered the ball 10 times, his decision-making and execution were very poor. A night to forget.

Forwards

Dokou Dodo - 5.5: He tried to make things happen but was largely ineffective. He lost 10 of his 17 duels and was dispossessed four times. He worked hard off the ball, making six recoveries and winning two tackles. Ultimately, he offered very little threat before he was substituted.

Aiyegun Tosin - 5.5: His game was over after just 32 minutes due to injury. In his short time on the pitch, he had one shot off target and looked isolated up front. It's tough to give a fair rating given the circumstances.

Substitutes

Jodel Dossou - 8.0: What an impact. Came on for the injured Tosin and was Benin's best player by a mile. He scored the crucial equalizer with a great finish and was a constant threat with his pace. A fantastic super-sub performance.

Olatoundji Tessilimi - 6.0: Came on and had a couple of blocked shots but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Romaric Amoussou - N/A: A late substitute for the injured Aloko.

Mattéo Ahlinvi - N/A: Came on in extra time and picked up a yellow card.

Manager

G. Rohr - 7.0: He set his team up brilliantly to frustrate Egypt. His side was organized, disciplined, and fiercely determined. His decision to bring on Jodel Dossou was a masterstroke that paid off immediately. Ultimately, his team was undone by superior quality in extra time, but he can be proud of the performance he coaxed out of his players.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Mohamed Salah