Ivory Coast have advanced to the quarter-final stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after they defeated defending champions, Senegal, in a penalty shootout.
The defending champions locked horns with the host country at the Konan Banny Stadium on Monday, January 29, at 21:00 (BST).
Senegal secured their place in the knockout stage with a 100% group stage record while Ivory Coast managed to book a spot by being chosen as the best loser in Group A.
Both teams made their first knockout meetings in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the game ended in 1-1 scores in regular time with Habib Diallo and Frank Kessie being on the scoresheet.
Starting XI
Senegal XI: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, A. Diallo, Jakobs, Niakhate, Matar Sarr, Camara, Ismaila Sarr, Mane, H. Diallo.
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana, Aurier, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan, Seri, S. Fofana, Sangare, Gradel, Diakite, Krasso.
The match got underway at 9 p.m. with the Senegalese who made the starting touch.
The defending champions took an early lead over the host nation in the 4th minute through Habib Diallo who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Sadio Mane produced a step-over, whipped the ball into the box and Diallo lashed it past Ivory Coast goalkeeper, Fofana.
Mane got booked in the 10th minute of play following a reckless tackle on Sangare as Ivory Coast were looking for an equalizer.
Sangare was stretched off the pitch but later got back into action after receiving a slight medical care.
Seko Fofana picked up a pass in the middle of the pitch and dribbled past three players effortlessly but the move eventually broke down in the 16th minute of action.
Ivory Coast pinned Senegal in their area and Aliou Cisse's men were calm enough to sustain the attacking pressure on them.
A wonderful team play by Ivory Coast allowed Krasso to lay the ball off in the box for a late-arriving Fofana, but the Senegalese defense recovered just in time to block his ensuing shot attempt before the center referee halted the game for a cooling break.
The game resumed in 36 minutes, shortly after the players took a slight refreshment on the sidelines, as Ivory Coast kept on pressing the defending champions, Senegal.
Fofana made a bursting run into the Senegal box, beating the players to the ball but Mandy was there to make a save that resulted in a corner kick.
Five minutes were added on to the end of the first half, as Ivory Coast came close to equalizing through a cross.
The first-half whistle was blown at 49 minutes as both teams headed to the dressing room while Senegal maintained a 1-0 lead.
The second half started with the Ivory Coast who made the first pass.
In the 47th minute, Koulibaly gave Diallo a fine pass down the right wing, and he cracked into the box and looked to shoot across the face of the goal.
Ivory Coast goalie, Fofana got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it wide, keeping the hosts in the match.
Ismaila Sarr was fouled in the box after he touched the ball ahead of Odilon Kossounou, before going to the ground under contact, but VAR decided not to intervene and Senegal were not given a penalty.
Senegal's goalscorer, Diallo was shown a yellow card for catching Ndicka in the face with a flailing arm as both players jumped for the ball.
Ivory Coast made the first changes of the game in the 65th minute, bringing on Nicolas Pepe and Simon Adingra to replace Max Gradel and Oumar Diakite.
Senegal also responded with their first change of the match, bringing on Nicolas Jackson to replace goalscorer Habib Diallo.
Sebastien Haller and Frank Kessie were introduced in the 73rd minute, the duo came on in place of Krasso and Sangare.
Shortly after, Ivory Coast nearly equalized, they sent a free kick into the box, but Senegal failed to clear it and Mendy was forced to get down to save a powerful header.
Ivory Coast made their fifth and final substitution, bringing on Christian Kouame to replace Seko Fofana.
The host nation were given a penalty kick in the 85th minute after Mendy brought down Pepe in the area, however, Kessie stepped up and put the ball at the back of the net as the game came to a 1-1 level.
Kessie greeted the crowd after scoring.
Seven minutes were added to the regular time, as the teams strived for a winner while host supporters created a beautiful scene at the stadium by indicating their phone flashlights.
The two teams held each other until the final whistle as they prepared for the extra time.
The game resumed, and both teams were quick to be back in action, Senegal made their third change as Iliman Ndiaye came on for Ismaila Sarr.
Fofana went down in the area and got back on his feet after being treated by the medical team.
One minute was added in the first extra time as the game remained level.
Sadio Mane had a great chance in the 105th minute to take Senegal ahead but Fofana rushed the Al Nassr player and smothered his shot.
Jackson and Matar Sarr combined to get Senegal ahead, but Diatta eventually missed control of the ball.
Neither side created a real chance during the first 20 minutes of the extra time.
Both sides made one substitution each as they prepared their lineups for penalties.
The referee blew for full time and the teams headed to a penalty shootout.
After the penalty shootouts, Ivory Coast secured a 5-4 victory over the defending champions to book a spot in the quarter-final.
The defending champions locked horns with the host country at the Konan Banny Stadium on Monday, January 29, at 21:00 (BST).
Senegal secured their place in the knockout stage with a 100% group stage record while Ivory Coast managed to book a spot by being chosen as the best loser in Group A.
Both teams made their first knockout meetings in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the game ended in 1-1 scores in regular time with Habib Diallo and Frank Kessie being on the scoresheet.
Starting XI
Senegal XI: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, A. Diallo, Jakobs, Niakhate, Matar Sarr, Camara, Ismaila Sarr, Mane, H. Diallo.
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana, Aurier, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan, Seri, S. Fofana, Sangare, Gradel, Diakite, Krasso.
The match got underway at 9 p.m. with the Senegalese who made the starting touch.
The defending champions took an early lead over the host nation in the 4th minute through Habib Diallo who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Sadio Mane produced a step-over, whipped the ball into the box and Diallo lashed it past Ivory Coast goalkeeper, Fofana.
Mane got booked in the 10th minute of play following a reckless tackle on Sangare as Ivory Coast were looking for an equalizer.
Sangare was stretched off the pitch but later got back into action after receiving a slight medical care.
Seko Fofana picked up a pass in the middle of the pitch and dribbled past three players effortlessly but the move eventually broke down in the 16th minute of action.
Ivory Coast pinned Senegal in their area and Aliou Cisse's men were calm enough to sustain the attacking pressure on them.
A wonderful team play by Ivory Coast allowed Krasso to lay the ball off in the box for a late-arriving Fofana, but the Senegalese defense recovered just in time to block his ensuing shot attempt before the center referee halted the game for a cooling break.
The game resumed in 36 minutes, shortly after the players took a slight refreshment on the sidelines, as Ivory Coast kept on pressing the defending champions, Senegal.
Fofana made a bursting run into the Senegal box, beating the players to the ball but Mandy was there to make a save that resulted in a corner kick.
Five minutes were added on to the end of the first half, as Ivory Coast came close to equalizing through a cross.
The first-half whistle was blown at 49 minutes as both teams headed to the dressing room while Senegal maintained a 1-0 lead.
The second half started with the Ivory Coast who made the first pass.
In the 47th minute, Koulibaly gave Diallo a fine pass down the right wing, and he cracked into the box and looked to shoot across the face of the goal.
Ivory Coast goalie, Fofana got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it wide, keeping the hosts in the match.
Ismaila Sarr was fouled in the box after he touched the ball ahead of Odilon Kossounou, before going to the ground under contact, but VAR decided not to intervene and Senegal were not given a penalty.
Senegal's goalscorer, Diallo was shown a yellow card for catching Ndicka in the face with a flailing arm as both players jumped for the ball.
Ivory Coast made the first changes of the game in the 65th minute, bringing on Nicolas Pepe and Simon Adingra to replace Max Gradel and Oumar Diakite.
Senegal also responded with their first change of the match, bringing on Nicolas Jackson to replace goalscorer Habib Diallo.
Sebastien Haller and Frank Kessie were introduced in the 73rd minute, the duo came on in place of Krasso and Sangare.
Shortly after, Ivory Coast nearly equalized, they sent a free kick into the box, but Senegal failed to clear it and Mendy was forced to get down to save a powerful header.
Ivory Coast made their fifth and final substitution, bringing on Christian Kouame to replace Seko Fofana.
The host nation were given a penalty kick in the 85th minute after Mendy brought down Pepe in the area, however, Kessie stepped up and put the ball at the back of the net as the game came to a 1-1 level.
Kessie greeted the crowd after scoring.
Seven minutes were added to the regular time, as the teams strived for a winner while host supporters created a beautiful scene at the stadium by indicating their phone flashlights.
The two teams held each other until the final whistle as they prepared for the extra time.
The game resumed, and both teams were quick to be back in action, Senegal made their third change as Iliman Ndiaye came on for Ismaila Sarr.
Fofana went down in the area and got back on his feet after being treated by the medical team.
One minute was added in the first extra time as the game remained level.
Sadio Mane had a great chance in the 105th minute to take Senegal ahead but Fofana rushed the Al Nassr player and smothered his shot.
Jackson and Matar Sarr combined to get Senegal ahead, but Diatta eventually missed control of the ball.
Neither side created a real chance during the first 20 minutes of the extra time.
Both sides made one substitution each as they prepared their lineups for penalties.
The referee blew for full time and the teams headed to a penalty shootout.
After the penalty shootouts, Ivory Coast secured a 5-4 victory over the defending champions to book a spot in the quarter-final.