Senegal vs Ivory Coast LIVE: Africa Cup of Nations result and reaction as hosts win penalty shootout
The hosts come into the game against the favourites having sacked their manager
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Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast overcame their own poor form and lack of a head coach to upset reigning champions Senegal and progress into the quarter-finals on penalties.
The outcome was all the more improbable given Senegal had emerged from their group phase with a perfect record, the only one in the tournament, while Ivory Coast only snuck through as the lowest-ranked qualifier of the third-placed teams, without a goal in their previous two fixtures.
And if initially the form guide looked to be providing a fairly routine outcome, it was Ivory Coast’s persistance and ability from the spot - particularly from subsitute Franck Kessie - which ultimately had the defining impact.
Follow the reaction below and check out the latest football odds here.
88’ - Senegal 1-1 Ivory Coast
Well now, let’s see if we have a late chance for a winner...or if they both settle for extra time.
Senegal have been a bit too passive in this game since scoring early on and a chance like that was always the risk.
Can Ivory Coast keep up the momentum in game? Pepe races into the box once more but this time Mendy is out to grab it safely.
GOAL! 84’ - Senegal 1-1 Ivory Coast
Mendy is booked for the foul and now has to compose himself to face a spot-kick from Franck Kessie, who is just off the bench.
Up steps the midfielder...and scores!
Ivory Coast are level!
84’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Penalty to Ivory Coast! A route back into the tie for them from the spot in the final ten minutes of the game.
82’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
What has happened here!! Pepe races through, beats the keeper to the ball, the keeper wipes him out and Diallo smashes behind for a corner. The referee somhow says no, not a spot-kick?! And books Kouame for his wild protests!
Crazy scenes - this surely gets overturned and a penalty given. We will see.... yes! Referee heading over to the sidelines. Aliou Cisse and one of his coaches are both booked for their own protests.
80’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Route one and almost one-one! Nicolas Pepe races in behind and curls a first-time shot on target, but Mendy is again alert and reacts to parry his save and grasp the ball at the second attempt.
Straight up the other end, Jackson beats his man on the outside and tries a low cross to an unmarked Sarr, but Ndicka gets his body in the way and clears for a corner.
Fofana’s attempted catch of the set piece is almost very costly as he drops the ball in the six-yard box, but Koulibaly can’t balance himself to turn and finish.
Final Ivory Coast sub: Christian Kouame on for Seko Fofana.
76’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Big chance for Sadio Mane but he can’t get the ball out of his feet for an early shot, swaps passes with Sarr and then scoops his eventual effort wide of the far post.
Cooling break now for the players, then it’s a sprint finish for the final 15 or so.
74’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Yellow card for Camara for standing on Pepe’s ankle. Clumsy rather than any kind of tackle, but certainly sore.
Time for Ivory Coast to go to the bench once more for another double change: Seb Haller on with Franck Kessie; Sangare and Krasso replaced.
From the set piece there’s a great chance for the equaliser and Mendy makes two fine saves - first Kessie with a strike and then powering in the rebound, both stopped by the keeper!
70’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Fofana lifts the ball over for Aurier to run onto but Mane has tracked him all the way and it’s an important boot in from the forward to clear up rather than away, allowing Mendy to come and grasp the ball mid-air.
The match just starting to open up a little now, Senegal countering with more menace and Ivory Coast knowing their time is running somehwat short.
Lamine Camara goes for goal from range with a low, bouncing shot, but it’s harmlessly wide of goal.
66’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast double change: Simon Adingra and Nicolas Pepe on, Diakite and Gradel being replaced.
Sadio Mane fashions space on the edge of the box and tees up Jakob, but his right-footed effort is skewed off-target and well wide.
Now there’s a change for Senegal and it’s Nicolas Jackson replacing goalscorer Habib Diallo.
62’ - Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Fofana surges on once more but again it’s the four and five of Senegal who stand firm, hard work throughout and good reactions to any transitions.
There’s a reason why they are favourites, and indeed champions. But the hosts have to find a way somehow - they haven’t scored since the 58th minute of their opener, with two shut-outs since then and no goal in a total of 274 minutes.
Haller is warming up on the touchline for them but Ivory Coast need more service, not just another body.
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