Mohammed Salah scored the winning penalty as Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 in the shootout to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Cameroon.
A match with plenty of intensity and half-chances failed to produce a goal in 120 minutes, leaving it to be settled from the penalty spot.
The Pharaohs sealed a place in the last eight of the continental tournament after they stunned Ivory Coast 5-4 in post-match penalties during an epic round of 16 clash played on Wednesday, January 26.
Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah was Egypt’s match hero as he netted the decisive spot-kick that sent his side to the quarters.
The encounter played at Japoma Stadium in Douala had to be decided via the shootouts after both teams settled for a goalless draw after regulation time.
Ibrahim Sangare’s acrobatic attempt was comfortably saved as Ivory Coast started to put some pressure on, before Sebastien Haller’s shot just before the break was well-struck but too close to Mohammed El Shenawy in goal for Egypt.
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Egypt came out quickly after the break, and Amr El Soleya should have done better as he blazed over the bar after Salah played him in. Badra Sangare then had to make a sharp save, as Simon Deli nearly turned a cross into his own net.
Sebastien Haller went close with 20 minutes remaining, after Sangare headed a deep corner back into the six-yard box, but Shenawy reacted well to turn it over the bar.
Aston Villa’s Trezeguet was introduced, as was Wilfried Zaha for Ivory Coast, as both managers looked to find a late winner. Trezeguet should really have provided one a couple of minutes after coming on, as he sent a curling effort wide of the far post when clean through.
Both teams made comfortable progress to the last 16 from their respective groups, with The Elephants topping Group E unbeaten, thanks to wins over Equatorial Guinea and Algeria.
Egypt, meanwhile, had a shaky start to the tournament as they lost their opening fixture against Nigeria, but bounced back with solid wins over Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.
Their meeting with Ivory Coast had been touted as the final before the final – all thanks to the two team’s successes in the tournament.
