Nigeria vs Ivory Coast LIVE: Afcon final updates as Sebastien Haller’s late goal wins tournament for hosts
Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast: The tournament hosts come from behind to lift the Africa Cup of Nations for a third time
Ivory Coast win the Africa Cup of Nations after coming from behind to defeat Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The hosts started as the better, more aggressive team, creating chances on goal and playing with a confidence that they’ve lacked throughout the rest of the tournament. The fans inside the stadium gave the match a lively and excitable atmosphere but Nigeria threatened to provide an upset.
In a rare attack up the pitch they won a corner that came curling onto the head of William Troost-Ekong who nodded it into the back of the net for the opener to give them the lead at half-time.
Ivory Coast didn’t give in. They came out for the second half with gusto and equalised through a set piece of their own. Franck Kessie drifting into space and powering a header into the deck before it bounced into the net. A sign of fate perhaps came at the end of the game. Sebastien Haller, who missed the start of the tournament through injury, stuck his foot onto a cross and turned it past Stanley Nwabali to decide the match.
Relive the Afcon final and get all the latest betting site offers here.
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
78 mins: Victor Osimhen is clattered by Seko Fofana in the air. The Nigeria forward goes to ground and Fofana lands on his ankle which will hurt.
Both players need a bit of treatment.
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
75 mins: Close! There’s a huge gasp around the stadium as the ball comes into the Nigeria box again. Simon Adingra nods it across to Sebastien Haller who swivels onto a volley and pulls his shot wide of the near post!
The second drinks break is taken. 15 minutes to go in this final. Will there be a winner?
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
72 mins: Nwabali comes off his line to claim a cross that comes into the box from the right. Nigeria seem to have been told to be more proactive.
They’re looking forward and want to get up the pitch. That may create chances for Ivory Coast to get in behind.
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
68 mins: There is a bit of life in Nigeria. From another set piece, this one a free kick, the cross into the box finds Troost-Ekong who nods his effort over the top of the goal.
He’s proven he’s good in the air so Ivory Coast need to stay switched on.
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
65 mins: Ivory Coast have all the momentum now.
They came out in the second half determined to score and have done. Can they find a second to full capitalise on their dominance or will Nigeria respond?
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast (Kessie, 62’)
62 mins: Equaliser!
From the corner Simon Adingra swings the ball far over to the back post. Franck Kessie is wide open and his time to think about his finish.
He nods the ball into the deck and watches as it bounces over the diving goalkeeper and finishes in the back of the net.
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
60 mins: An hour played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Nigeria still have their lead. Odilon Kossounou takes a shot from range and forces a low save out of Stanley Nwabali.
He palms the ball wide for a corner.
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
57 mins: Serge Aurier swings a deep cross into the box from the right side and finds Simon Adingra. He volleys a pass back into the middle but Ola Aina gets the block in.
Nigeria will want to assert more control onto this match.
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
54 mins: Penalty shout!
Gradel gets hold of the ball and tucks inside of Zaidu on his way into the penalty area. There’s a slight connection between the players as Zaidu goes to ground. He’s not trying to tackle but Gradel feels contact and goes down.
VAR doesn’t overturn the initial decision which is no penalty.
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