Madagascar booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Democratic of Republic at Alexandria Stadium on Sunday.

Locked at 2-2 after extra-time, the game would be decided from the penalty spot. Madagascar scored all four of their attempts while Marcel Tisserand and Yannick Bolasie both sent their shots over the crossbar as DR Congo crashed out of the African showpiece.

Barea will face either Ghana or Tunisia for a place in the final four of this year's tournament.

Ibrahim Amada fired Madagascar in front after just nine minutes. The Malagasy midfielder sent a left-footed rocket into the corner of the net as the island nation continued from where they left off against Nigeria.

DR Congo levelled matters in the 21st minute through Cedric Bakambu. The China-based forward nodding home a pin-point cross from Ngonda Muzinga for his third goal of the tournament.

Madagascar regained their lead through captain Faneva Imà Andriatsima in the 77th minute and his goal looked sure to send the island nation into the quarterfinals, but Chancel Mbemba had other ideas; as he found the back of the net in the final minute of regulation time.

Following an extra-time period dominated by DR Congo, the game would be decided from the penalty spot as the Leopards failed to find the killer blow.

Madagascar duly came up trumps, sinking all four of their penalties before Bolasie's decisive miss sent DR Congo packing.

Madagascar (1) 2 (Amada 9' Andriatsima 77')

DR Congo (1) 2 (Bakambu 21' Mbemba 90')

Madagascar won 4-2 on penalties.

Madagascar: Adrien; Andrea (Morel 106'), Pascal, Andriatsima (Rakotoharimalala 112'), Nomenjanahary (Caloin 89'), Amada, Raveloson (Andrianarimanana 58'), Metanire, Fontaine, Mombris, Anicet.

DR Congo: Matampi; Djos, Muzinga, Tisserand, Chadrack (Bolasie 70'), Mulumbu (Bope 67'), Moke (Meschak 46'), Maghoma, Mbemba, Bakambu, Assombalonga (M'Poku 91').

Madagascar will face DR Congo in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 18h00 CAT.

The match is scheduled to be played at the Alexandria Stadium in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

Barea secured their place in the knockout stage after finishing second in Group B which consisted of Nigeria, Guinea and Burundi.

Carolus Andriamatsinoro, who scored twice in the group stage, is Madagascar's dangerman.

Madagascar head coach Nicolas Dupuis will be looking to mastermind a victory over an experienced DR Congo side.

Meanwhile, DR Congo advanced to the knockout phase after finishing third in Group A which consisted of Egypt, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

The Leopards will look to Cedric Bakambu, who hit the back of the net twice in the group stage.

DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge will be eager to lead his side to an important victory over an unfancied Madagascar side.

This will be the 11th meeting between Madagascar and DR Congo.

The Leopards have recorded six victories compared to Barea's two wins and two games ended in a draw.