2023 AFCON: Ivory Coast beat defending champions Senegal to secure quarterfinal spot

Cote D'Ivoire celebrate qualification to 2023 AFCON quarterfinal Photo Courtesy: CAF

Ivory Coast beat Senegal 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra-time in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Monday night.

Therefore, the Elephants progressed to the quarterfinals of Africa’s biggest football tournament. The hosts will now go head to head with either Mali or Burkina Faso in the last eight on 3 February at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.

Senegal, on the other hand, crashed out of the tournament as their hopes of successfully defending the Afcon title diminished and they will now travel back home after a shock exit.

It took just four minutes for the Lions of Teranga to take the lead after some great work by Sadio Mane. The two-time CAF Footballer of the Year set up Habib Diallo who was afforded space and time to fire home to hand Senegal a 1-0 lead.

The Elephants continued to push for the equalising goal and they were awarded a penalty after Pepe was fouled by Mendy in the box.

Photo Courtesy: CAF
Photo Courtesy: CAF

Kessie stepped up and beat Mendy from the spot-kick to make it 1-1, and the game ended in a draw in regulation time, and extra-time followed.

Photo Courtesy: CAF

The two teams attacked each other in extra-time, but there were no goals and the match was decided by a penalty shootout.

Photo Courtesy: CAF

Ivory Coast won 5-4 on penalties with Kessie scoring the winning penalty as Moussa Niakhate became the only one who missed during the shootout.

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