Agadir, Morocco - Mohamed Salah delivered a moment of sheer brilliance, scoring a dramatic last-minute goal to secure a 2-1 victory for Egypt against Zimbabwe in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The Liverpool star's decisive strike not only silenced his doubters but also ignited the hopes of Egyptian fans dreaming of a record-extending eighth AFCON title.
The match, held in Agadir, Morocco, on Monday, December 22, 2025, was far from a comfortable start for the Pharaohs. Zimbabwe, against the run of play, took a surprising lead in the 20th minute when Prince Dube fired a left-footed shot past Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. The goal stunned the heavily favored Egyptians and silenced the largely pro-Egypt crowd.
Egypt dominated possession and created several chances in the first half, with Salah heavily involved in the attacking plays. He delivered dangerous crosses and had a shot blocked, but Zimbabwe's defense, along with some excellent goalkeeping from 40-year-old Washington Arubi, kept Egypt at bay.
The pressure finally paid off in the 64th minute when Omar Marmoush, the Manchester City forward, scored a stunning equalizer. Marmoush collected the ball on the left flank, accelerated past his marker, and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle that beat Arubi.
With the score level, Egypt continued to push for a winner, but Zimbabwe's defense remained resilient. As the clock ticked down, it appeared the match was headed for a draw. However, in the first minute of added time, Mohamed Salah stepped up to etch his name into the headlines. Capitalizing on a loose ball inside the penalty area, Salah swivelled and fired a low, accurate shot into the corner of the net, sending the Egyptian fans into raptures.
Salah's late heroics came after a period of criticism following controversies with Liverpool. Despite his recent limited playing time for his club, Salah proved his sharpness and importance on the international stage. His goal showcased his composure and match-winning ability, reminding everyone why he remains one of the biggest stars in African football.
The victory places Egypt level on points with South Africa in Group B, after South Africa's 2-1 victory over Angola. Egypt will face South Africa in their next Group B encounter on Friday, December 26, 2025, while Zimbabwe will travel to Marrakesh to take on Angola.
For Egypt, this win is a crucial first step in their quest for their first AFCON title since 2010. For Mohamed Salah, it was a statement. He has silenced the doubters and has signaled his intent to finally lift the coveted AFCON trophy.
