Mohamed Salah scores penalty as Egypt qualify for AFCON knockout stages

Mohamed Salah made it two goals in two games for Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as he helped his country qualify for the knockout stages.

The Liverpool forward captained the Pharaohs and delivered the decisive strike on Friday as they beat South Africa 1-0 in a Group B meeting in Morocco.

The result was enough to secure Egypt passage into the next phase of the competition with a match to spare of the group stage.

Salah both won and converted a penalty himself in the 45th minute of the game, after VAR intervention awarded the spot-kick.

Egypt were also reduced to 10 men in stoppage time of the first half as Mohamed Hany was issued a second yellow card.

However, despite the player deficit, they held on throughout the second period to guarantee a place in the tournament's last 16.

Salah and his nation will next return to action on Monday (December 29), facing Angola to complete their Group B fixtures.