Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (AET – Algeria win 4-3 on pens)

Afcon

Algeria had not conceded a goal at this tournament before this game

Algeria reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations by beating Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Algeria took the lead through ex-West Ham winger Sofiane Feghouli’s side-foot finish before they missed a penalty.

Baghdad Bounedjah, who had been fouled by keeper Sylvain Gbohouo, hit the bar.

Ivory Coast forced extra time after Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia’s low finish but, after no further goals, the tie was decided by penalties.

Algeria, seeking a first Afcon triumph since 1990, will now meet Nigeria in Cairo on Sunday (20:00 BST).

Ivory Coast had gone close to scoring when the game was goalless, Rais M’Bolhi pushing Max Gradel’s attempt on to the post.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha went into the quarter-final looking to increase his two-goal tally at the tournament.

However, the Ivory Coast player was booked and fortunate to escape a red card after a confrontation with Ramy Bensebaini.

Zaha and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez had been replaced by the end of the 120 minutes and did not take part in the penalty shootout.

Former Manchester City player Wilfried Bony had already had a penalty saved when team-mate Serey Die hit the post, earning Algeria victory.

Analysis

Mohamed Qoutb of BBC Arabic

Ivory Coast started the game well as their wingers took advantage of the inexperience of the Algerian full-backs, unluckily for the Elephants their striker Jonathan Kodjia failed to convert a couple of chances, while Algerian goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi forced Gradel’s effort to hit the post.

Algeria’s Feghouli was clinical in finishing the first half that made Algeria more in control of the game while Wilfried Zaha and co looked more nervous as time passed.

Both sides fought well in the midfield in extra time but it was all up to penalties to decide a game that was so tense.

Live Text

Match ends, Côte d’Ivoire 1(3), Algeria 1(4).

Penalty Shootout ends, Côte d’Ivoire 1(3), Algeria 1(4).

Penalty missed! Still Côte d’Ivoire 1(3), Algeria 1(4). Serey Dié (Côte d’Ivoire) hits the left post with a right footed shot.

Penalty missed! Still Côte d’Ivoire 1(3), Algeria 1(4). Youcef Belaïli (Algeria) hits the left post with a right footed shot.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(3), Algeria 1(4). Max-Alain Gradel (Côte d’Ivoire) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(2), Algeria 1(4). Adam Ounas (Algeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.

Penalty saved! Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(2), Algeria 1(3). Andy Delort (Algeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(2), Algeria 1(2). Maxwel Cornet (Côte d’Ivoire) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(1), Algeria 1(2). Islam Slimani (Algeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1(1), Algeria 1(1). Franck Kessié (Côte d’Ivoire) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.

Goal! Côte d’Ivoire 1, Algeria 1(1). Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.

Penalty Shootout begins Côte d’Ivoire 1, Algeria 1.

Second Half Extra Time ends, Côte d’Ivoire 1, Algeria 1.

Attempt missed. Andy Delort (Algeria) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.

Substitution, Algeria. Andy Delort replaces Sofiane Feghouli.

Cheick Comara (Côte d’Ivoire) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Adam Ounas (Algeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Cheick Comara (Côte d’Ivoire).

Foul by Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria).

Maxwel Cornet (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. Cheick Comara (Côte d’Ivoire) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Max-Alain Gradel with a cross following a set piece situation.

Foul by Adlène Guédioura (Algeria).

Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Attempt missed. Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) header from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Mehdi Zeffane with a cross.

Djamel Benlamri (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Côte d’Ivoire).

Attempt saved. Islam Slimani (Algeria) header from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Youcef Belaïli.

Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire).

Offside, Côte d’Ivoire. Sylvain Gbohouo tries a through ball, but Wilfried Bony is caught offside.

Foul by Adlène Guédioura (Algeria).

Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Corner, Côte d’Ivoire. Conceded by Mehdi Zeffane.

Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire).

Second Half Extra Time begins Côte d’Ivoire 1, Algeria 1.

First Half Extra Time ends, Côte d’Ivoire 1, Algeria 1.

Foul by Aissa Mandi (Algeria).

Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (AET – Algeria win 4-3 on pens)