Mohamed Salah scored a crucial goal that led Egypt to a 3-1 victory over Benin in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The “Egyptian King” capitalized on Benin’s attacking push for an equalizer in the final minute of the second period of extra time, breaking free and slotting the ball home with his left foot to give his country their third goal and secure the Pharaohs’ place in the quarterfinals.
This was Salah’s tenth goal in the Africa Cup of Nations across five appearances with the Egyptian national team, spanning the 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025 editions.
The 33-year-old is now just one goal away from equaling his national team coach, Hossam Hassan, as Egypt’s second all-time top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations, and two goals away from equaling the Pharaohs’ all-time leading scorer in the tournament, the legendary Hassan El-Shazly.
On the other hand, Salah has ignited the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot, having scored his third goal in three matches, finding the net against Mozambique, South Africa, and now Benin.
Salah will have the opportunity to break the record if he manages to score two goals in the quarter-final match, which will pit Egypt against the winner of the Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso match.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Top Scorers
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz maintains his lead in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations top scorers list with four goals in four matches.
Four players share second place with three goals each: Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Mali’s Lassine Sénaïko, and Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi.
Top scorers at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations:
Brahim Diaz (Morocco) – 4 goals
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 3 goals
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 3 goals
Lassine Siniko (Mali) – 3 goals
Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco) – 3 goals
Raphael Ondika (Nigeria) – 2 goals
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) – 2 goals
Nicholas Jackson (Senegal) – 2 goals
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) – 2 goals
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 2 goals
