Following a tense 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 match in San Pedro on Sunday, the Democratic Republic of Congo secured an amazing 8-7 victory after Egypt’s goalie Mohamed Abou Gabal missed his spot in the shootout. Mohamed Salah will therefore be able to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury with Liverpool rather than having to travel back to the Ivory Coast.
As Egypt, the record seven-time winner, lost at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, Abou Gabal’s shot struck the crossbar, and his opposite number Lionel Mpasi scored against him. This resulted in wild scenes for the Democratic Republic of Congo, who will now play Guinea in the quarterfinals on Friday in Abidjan.
Meschack Elia headed in almost on the goalline to give DRC the lead, but the lead only lasted for nine minutes as Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the competition from the penalty spot right before halftime.
Meschack Elia gave DR Congo the lead when he nodded in Yoane Wissa’s deflected cross
After Egypt’s midfielder Mohamed Hamdy was sent off during extra time, the Pharaohs, who were without their injured star player Salah, ceased attacking and managed to hold on as the match proceeded into a shootout.
With a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea’s 10-man squad, Guinea advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals thanks to a last-minute goal by Mohamed Bayo. With barely 22 seconds left in the final minute of a subpar match in Abidjan, Bayo headed home from Ibrahim Diakité’s cross, sending the match into extra time.
Much of that time had been spent on a protracted VAR check that ultimately resulted in Equatorial Guinea being granted a penalty for a foul committed by Sekou Sylla against Iban Salvador. However, Emilio Nsue, the captain, missed the base of a post with his penalty kick.
The only noteworthy effort on goal in an otherwise dull first half came from Bayo, who missed a close opportunity early on. However, the game came to life in the second half.
Two minutes after the break, Nsue had a good chance to score when he volleyed a ball over the bar from ten yards out. In the 53rd minute, Guinea appeared to have broken the deadlock when Mory Konaté headed home from a free kick, but Konaté was offside.
Two minutes later, Federico Bikoro was sent out for a high-footed challenge that left Bayo with agonizing rib injuries, giving Guinea the advantage of a man.
After a VAR check verified Sylla’s foul on Salvador, Equatorial Guinea should have taken the lead from the penalty spot. Nsue’s shot struck a post, leaving him with nothing to do but watch in sorrow after sending Ibrahim Koné the wrong way.
With Bayo in the ideal position to lead a deserving winner, the impasse was ultimately broken in a dramatic manner. “It was a really fulfilling triumph. After our group matches, we received a lot of criticism, but my players were fairly compensated for their hard work,” stated Guinea’s coach Kaba Diawara.
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