Mohamed Salah scored the decisive goal as 10-man Egypt secured a 1-0 victory over South Africa on Friday, December 26, 2025, becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Liverpool forward converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, calmly sending the ball past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after a VAR-reviewed incident involving South African right-back Khuliso Mudau, who was adjudged to have struck Salah in the eye during a challenge. The result leaves Egypt, the record seven-time champions, with a perfect six points from two Group B matches, guaranteeing them a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16.

The match was not without controversy and drama. Egypt was reduced to 10 men in first-half added time when right-back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card, upgraded to a red, for stamping on Teboho Mokoena. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Egypt defended resiliently throughout the second half, with veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy producing several key saves, including a fingertip stop to deny Lyle Foster with 15 minutes remaining. South Africa pressed hard for an equalizer and believed they should have been awarded a late penalty when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box, but the referee waved away the appeals, leaving coach Hugo Broos visibly frustrated and describing the decisions as “ridiculous.”

Salah, who had arrived in Morocco after being left on the bench for five consecutive Liverpool matches, delivered when it mattered most. The Egypt captain spoke post-match about the importance of the result, praising the team's game plan against a South Africa side that dominated possession for long periods. “It was a tough game; they dominated most of the time… We walked away with the three points; it's the most important thing. The atmosphere is incredible,” he said. The victory was especially significant given the vocal home support for the Pharaohs in the stadium, with the crowd's reaction to refereeing decisions underscoring the passionate backing Egypt received.

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South Africa, who now have three points from their opening two matches, remain in contention but face a tougher path forward. Earlier in the day, Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw in Marrakesh, leaving both sides with one point each in Group B. The narrow margin and contentious moments highlighted the competitive intensity of the tournament, which has already seen several high-stakes encounters despite challenging weather conditions in previous games. Egypt's ability to grind out a result with 10 men showcased their experience and defensive discipline under coach Hossam Hassan.

The win extends Egypt's strong start to the competition and reinforces their status as one of the favorites to lift the trophy once again. As the group stage continues, attention now turns to whether South Africa can recover and secure progression, while Egypt will aim to maintain their momentum and finish top of the group. Salah's clinical penalty and the team's resilience in adversity have set an early benchmark in what promises to be a fiercely contested Africa Cup of Nations.

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