Algeria beat Ivory Coast on penalties in Afcon thriller

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jul 11, 2019. 21:30

Algeria will face Nigeria for a place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final following a 4-3 penalty shoot-out (1-1 after extra-time) win over Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium in Suez on Thursday evening.

Ivorian skipper Serey Dié missed the decisive spot-kick to send the Desert Foxes into the semifinals at the Elephants expensive, as Algeria duly exacted revenge on their opponents for the defeat they suffered at the same stage four years ago.

Following a thrilling start to the game, which included chances for both teams and notably a superb save by Rais M'Bolhi to tip Max Gradel's goal-bound effort onto the woodwork and wide of goal, Algeria took the lead.

Ramy Bensebaini showcased superb awareness and determination to pounce on the loose ball following a coming together before picking out Sofiane Feghouli with a pin-point cross - and the latter made no mistake - firing home a crisp shot.

Baghdad Bounedjah squandered a chance to double Algeria's lead four minutes after the break after he was brought down inside the area by Sylvain Gbohouo. The forward, though, could only succeed in guiding his ensuing spot-kick onto the crossbar.

He was made to rue the miss in the 62nd minute as the Elephants found the equaliser. Wilfried Zaha's driving run opened up the Algerian defence for Jonathan Kodjia who skipped past his man before driving home a rasping effort.

Extra-time and and penalties duly followed and after five successful kicks, Wilfried Bony had his attempt saved by M'Bolhi.

Youcef Belaili duly squandered a chance to win the game for the Desert Foxes, but it mattered little as Dié guided his subsequent effort onto the same post as the Desert Foxes go marching on.

Ivory Coast (0) 1 (Kodjia 62')
Algeria (1) 1 (Feghouli 20')

Algeria beat Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties.

Ivory Coast: Gbohouo; Coulibaly, Traore, Bagayoko, Sangare (Gbamin 78'), Die, Kanon (Comara 53'), Kessie, Gradel, Zaha (Cornet 94'), Kodjia (Bony 96').

Algeria: M'Bolhi; Mandi, Benlamri, Atal (Zeffane 30'), Bensebaini, Guedioura, Bennacer, Belaili, Feghouli (Delort 120+1'), Mahrez (Ounas 86'), Bounedjah (Slimani 78').