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 20:30 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

29 mins: SAVE! A great save from Fofana to deny Wissa from close range but the offside flag would have gone up regardless.

[7 February 2024 20:25 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

24 mins: Bakambu attempts an overhead kick after controlling a cross from the left but his effort is blocked behind for a corner. It’s another good cross but Fofana, somewhat unconvincingly, punches the ball clear.

[7 February 2024 20:21 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

20 mins: Kakuta’s strike from range is blocked, with Fofana making the save easily.

[7 February 2024 20:19 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

18 mins: CLOSE! The best chance of the game so far as Adingra rises superbly to meet a cross in from the right but his effort goes just wide of the post, with Mpasi rooted to the spot.

[7 February 2024 20:17 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

16 mins: Mpasi punches the corner clear but only as far as Singo. His effort, on the turn, is blocked well by the Congolese defenders.

[7 February 2024 20:13 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

12 mins: Gradel looks to get a cross in down the right but it’s defended smartly by Masuaku.

[7 February 2024 20:11 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

9 mins: DISALLOWED! Bakambu has the ball in the back of the net but it won’t stand as the ball was kicked out of Fofana’s hands prior to the striker’s finish.

[7 February 2024 20:09 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

7 mins: Elia breaks down the right for DR Congo but the ball is cleared out for a corner. The cross in is a dangerous one and Haller has to respond well to clear the ball out at the near post.

[7 February 2024 20:06 · Ben Fleming]

Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

5 mins: A quiet start to this game but Ivory Coast are enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the early stages.

[7 February 2024 20:01 · Ben Fleming]

KICK-OFF! Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo

1 min: And we are underway here in the second semi-final.