After a 1-1 draw in extra time in Yamoussoukro, hosts Ivory Coast advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after eliminating reigning champions Senegal in a penalty shootout.
The hosts, who had been humiliated in their group stage performance that resulted in two defeats, had a remarkable victory thanks to the winning penalty converted by Franck Kessie, who had scored the spot four minutes from the conclusion of normal time.
Habib Diallo’s goal from a cross by Sadio Mane in the fourth minute gave Senegal the lead and a fantastic start.
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Mali or Burkina Faso, who play their last-16 tie in Korhogo on Tuesday (17:00 GMT), will be the opponents in the Elephants’ quarterfinal match on Saturday (17:00 GMT).
With Senegal’s defeat, no incumbent champion has advanced past the first round of eliminations in a Cup of Nations since Egypt claimed the trophy for the third time in a row in 2010.
Despite falling behind so quickly in the Teranga Lions encounter, Ivory Coast, who advanced to the round of 16 as one of the top third-placed teams from the group stage, steadily gained momentum.
With Senegal’s defeat, no incumbent champion has advanced past the first round of eliminations in a Cup of Nations since Egypt claimed the trophy for the third time in a row in 2010.
Despite falling behind so quickly in the Teranga Lions encounter, Ivory Coast, who advanced to the round of 16 as one of the top third-placed teams from the group stage, steadily gained momentum.
Mane made an exquisite throw from the left, bringing the ball down with his chest and sending it into the roof of the net to open the score. Diallo, a forward for Al Shabab of the Saudi Pro League, benefited from the play.
After a reckless challenge on Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare five minutes later, Mane was fortunate to get away with a caution; Sangare had to be stretchered out for treatment before he could return to the game.
After such a frantic start, the Elephants started to settle into the game, controlling significantly more of the first half’s possession and attempting to equalise with Seko Fofana and Oumar Diakite both looking bright.
