The match between Egypt and Ivory Coast was filled with drama, tension, and excitement but none of that made it to the score sheet as both teams played out a scoreless draw. In the end, though, that did not stop the Egyptians from claiming their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as they beat the Elephants 5-4 on penalties. Note that the finest football betting oddsprovide bookmakers like Bet9ja, Wazobet, and 1xBet.
Egypt make it to the quarter-finals
For once, Egypt fans had something to cheer for in Libreville. Although they knew that a win against Ivory Coast would send them through, reaching the last eight of a tournament for just the second time since 1978 was still far from guaranteed with their side having lost both matches 1-0.
Instead, it took an even more dramatic twist as both sides failed to find a breakthrough in regulation time before going into extra time and eventually penalties. It was a thrilling end to an otherwise uneventful match – Mohamed Aboutrika’s penalty sending his team through.
Egypt coach Bob Bradley knew his side’s hopes of progressing would come down to a shootout and will have taken great heart from their display over 120 minutes, however, he’ll be concerned by a slight lapse in concentration at a crucial moment. Many had tipped Ivory Coast to go all the way in Gabon 2017; despite a fine performance here there were flaws that need ironing out.
Although substitute Wilfried Zaha took responsibility for missing his penalty, luck played its part too – he was one of three players who saw their spot-kicks saved. The first 11 penalties were converted before Ahmed Fathi missed for Egypt; Cheick Doucoure then scored but SokratisPapastathopoulos saw his effort saved by Sylvain Gbohouo.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah missed his spot-kick in a dramatic shoot-out but made amends by converting his second penalty and then sending keeper Boubacar Barry the wrong way with Egypt’s fifth. The Liverpool forward had blasted over in sudden death, but more than made up for it when he fired home a powerful shot low into Barry’s right corner.
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