Ivory Coast vs DR Congo LIVE: Afcon semi-final result and reaction as Haller fires hosts into final

Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo: Tournament hosts will play Nigeria in Sunday’s final after a narrow semi-final victory

Ivory Coast fans line the streets to celebrate AFCON final spot

Ivory Coast booked their place in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations after Sebastian Haller’s second-half strike saw them win 1-0 against DR Congo

The hosts, who lost two of their group stages and sacked their managed mid-tournament, grew into the encounter and were unlucky not to be ahead at the break after Haller fired wide with a header and Frank Kessie struck the post.

However, the key breakthrough arrived after the break when Haller volleyed Max Gradel’s cross into the ground, the ball looping up and over a helpless Lionel Mpasi.

Ivory Coast, who last won the tournament in 2015, will take on Nigeria in Sunday’s final after the Super Eagles won on penalties against South Africa earlier in the day.

Relive all the action below:

Ivory Coast vs DR Congo LIVE

• FT: Haller’s volley guides hosts into Sunday’s final against Nigeria
• ‘65 GOAL! Haller puts hosts in front with volleyed finish (CIV 1-0 COD)
• ‘42 POST! Kessie strikes post with thunderous strike (CIV 0-0 COD)
• ‘40 CHANCE! Haller spurns golden opportunity (CIV 0-0 COD)

[7 February 2024 21:15 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

53 mins: Ivory Coast ended the first half fully on top but DR Congo have been really bright since the interval.

[7 February 2024 21:10 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

48 mins: Almost an instant impact from Bongonda off the bench as the Congolese attacker weaves into the box before firing into the side netting from a tight angle.

[7 February 2024 21:06 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

46 mins: A crunch second half awaits as DR Congo get us back underway after the break.

One change for DR Congo at the break as Bongonda comes on for Kakuta.

[7 February 2024 20:53 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties to reach AFCON final after VAR drama

A place in Sunday’s final against Nigeria awaits the winner of tonight’s game.

The Super Eagles reached an eighth Africa Cup of Nations final after winning a drama-fuelled last-four clash with South Africa on penalties.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero for Nigeria after he saved efforts by Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa in a 4-2 shoot-out win, which only told half the story of an extraordinary clash where VAR was at the forefront of the action.

Nigeria thought they had booked their place in the final when Victor Osimhen tapped home in the 85th minute to add to William Troost-Ekong’s second-half penalty, but referee Amin Omar was told to intervene.

A review of the goal showed South Africa’s Percy Tau had been fouled inside the penalty area at the start of the move and the score went from 2-0 to Nigeria to 1-1 when Mokoena made no mistake from 12 yards.

South Africa defender Grant Kekana also received his marching orders towards the end of extra-time before Nwabali made the difference to fire the 2013 winners into another final.

Read the full report below

[7 February 2024 20:50 · Ben Fleming]

HALF-TIME: Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

And that’s that for the first half. An even contest for the most part, but the hosts will feel they should be ahead after those huge chances for Haller and Kessie late on in the piece.

[7 February 2024 20:47 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

45 mins: There will be three minutes of added time.

[7 February 2024 20:43 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

42 mins: POST! Another let-off for DR Congo as Kessie’s sweetly-hit strike cannons back off the left post.

The hosts are firmly on top now.

[7 February 2024 20:41 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

40 mins: CHANCE! A golden opportunity for Haller and he has to score. It’s a pinpoint cross from Singo and the Ivorian striker is unmarked in the box but inexplicably fires wide with Mpasi rooted to the spot.

[7 February 2024 20:37 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

36 mins: A teasing ball in from Adingra can’t find an Ivory Coast head before Haller takes a poor touch and sends an overhead kick over the bar.

[7 February 2024 20:35 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

33 mins: Masuaka swings in a cross from the left but the Ivorian defence stands firm. Forward the hosts go on the counter but Moutassamy does well to shepherd Haller and the ball out for a goal-kick.