AFCON 2023: Guinea, DR Congo into quarter-finals in dramatic style as Egypt and Equatorial Guinea exit
Seven-time winners Egypt out after losing 8-7 on penalties to DR Congo; Guinea through to quarter-finals of Africa Cup of Nations after a nail-biting 1-0 win against Equatorial Guinea
Sunday 28 January 2024 23:54, UK
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
It came down to goalkeeper vs goalkeeper in an epic penalty shootout for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Egypt's Abou Gabal clipped the crossbar with his effort — then failed to stop opposite number Lionel Mpasi scoring to send DR Congo through in dramatic fashion.
After a 1-1 draw following extra-time, the shootout ultimately finished 8-7 in DR Congo's favour at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, sparking jubilant scenes for the Congolese, who now play Guinea in the quarter-finals in Abidjan on Friday.
Meschack Elia had given DR Congo the lead in the game when he headed in virtually on the goal-line, but the advantage lasted nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
Egypt midfielder Mohamed Hamdy received a red card in extra-time, after which the Pharaohs, without injured talisman Mohamed Salah, stopped attacking and held on as the game went to a shootout.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Earlier, Mohamed Bayo scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to send Guinea into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over 10-player Equatorial Guinea.
The game was heading for extra-time when Ibrahim Diakite crossed for Bayo to finally break the deadlock with a header inside the near post.
It was effectively the last play of the game and left Guinea's exhausted opponents slumped on the field.
Transfer Centre LIVE!
Papers — latest
Read on skysports.com
