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Algeria booked a semi-final ticket to play Nigeria after beating Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in the Q-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup Of Nations in Egypt.
Sofiane Feghouli broke the deadlock in the first half for Algeria ahead after Baghdad Bounedjah squared it to the Galatasaray midfielder.
After the break, Bounedjah hit the bar from the spot after earning Algeria a penalty, and they were made to pay just after the hour-mark when the Ivory Coast equalised through Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia, who rode a tackle before firing a superb effort into the far corner.
The match ultimately went the distance, and after five perfect penalties, Wilfried Bony saw his penalty saved, and though Youcef Belaili could only hit the post with Algeria’s fifth penalty, Serey Die did likewise to send the Ivory Coast packing.
TALKING POINT - Can Algeria cut out the histrionics?
A running theme of this match was Algeria losing their cool. Bensebaini made farcical attempts to get Wilfried Zaha sent off in the first half, including an incredible moment where he grabbed the Crystal Palace forward's arm and hit himself in the face, Ounass proved himself to be very happy to go down under no contact to win penalties and Bounedjah completely was visibly distraught after he missed his penalty. If they are to win the title, they will need the mentality of champions.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Raiss M'Bolhi (Algeria)
He may have had some nervy moments but you cannot deny that the Algerian goalkeeper was key to his side's progression today as he made some key saves in normal play before denying Bony from the spot in the shoot-out.
PLAYER RATINGS
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo 4, Bagayoko 6, Traore 5, Kanon 5, Coulibaly 6, Sangare 5, Kessie 6, Die 6, Zaha 7, Kodjia 7, Gradel 7 Subs: Gbamin 6, Comara 6, Bony 5, Cornet N/A
Algeria: M'Bolhi 7, Atal 6, Mandi 6, Benlamri 7, Bensebaini 6, Feghouli 7, Bennacer 6, Mahrez 7, Guedioura 6, Belaili 6, Bounedjah 4 Subs: Zeffane 6, Slimani 6, Ounas 6, Delort N/A
KEY MOMENTS
6' So close!
Gradel shifts the ball on to his right foot and takes aim. It looks like his effort is going to give his side an early lead but M'Bolhi just gets finger tips to it and tips it on to the post. The rebound came at Kodjia too quickly for the Aston Villa man to react.
20' GOAL!
Algeria take the lead. Bensebaini takes advantage of a loose ball after Bagayoko's botched challenge on Bounedjah, advances into the box and squares it to Feghouli, who finishes with aplomb!
48' PENALTY MISS!
Bounedjah takes the penalty himself and his shot goes over off the top of the bar! He looks distraught and Ivory Coast will have the wind in their sails now.
62' GOAL!!
Ivory Coast are back on level terms! Kodjia toakes down a high ball, rides a challenge from Benlamri and blasts a left-footed shot past M'Bolhi and into the bottom corner. Game on!
Penalties: Serey Die for Ivory Coast... OFF THE POST! Algeria go through!
KEY STAT
This is only the second time Algeria have reached the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations since they won the title on home soil in 1990.
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| AFCON: Algeria beat Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties to reach semifinal |
Algeria booked a semi-final ticket to play Nigeria after beating Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in the Q-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup Of Nations in Egypt.
Sofiane Feghouli broke the deadlock in the first half for Algeria ahead after Baghdad Bounedjah squared it to the Galatasaray midfielder.
After the break, Bounedjah hit the bar from the spot after earning Algeria a penalty, and they were made to pay just after the hour-mark when the Ivory Coast equalised through Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia, who rode a tackle before firing a superb effort into the far corner.
The match ultimately went the distance, and after five perfect penalties, Wilfried Bony saw his penalty saved, and though Youcef Belaili could only hit the post with Algeria’s fifth penalty, Serey Die did likewise to send the Ivory Coast packing.
TALKING POINT - Can Algeria cut out the histrionics?
A running theme of this match was Algeria losing their cool. Bensebaini made farcical attempts to get Wilfried Zaha sent off in the first half, including an incredible moment where he grabbed the Crystal Palace forward's arm and hit himself in the face, Ounass proved himself to be very happy to go down under no contact to win penalties and Bounedjah completely was visibly distraught after he missed his penalty. If they are to win the title, they will need the mentality of champions.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Raiss M'Bolhi (Algeria)
He may have had some nervy moments but you cannot deny that the Algerian goalkeeper was key to his side's progression today as he made some key saves in normal play before denying Bony from the spot in the shoot-out.
PLAYER RATINGS
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo 4, Bagayoko 6, Traore 5, Kanon 5, Coulibaly 6, Sangare 5, Kessie 6, Die 6, Zaha 7, Kodjia 7, Gradel 7 Subs: Gbamin 6, Comara 6, Bony 5, Cornet N/A
Algeria: M'Bolhi 7, Atal 6, Mandi 6, Benlamri 7, Bensebaini 6, Feghouli 7, Bennacer 6, Mahrez 7, Guedioura 6, Belaili 6, Bounedjah 4 Subs: Zeffane 6, Slimani 6, Ounas 6, Delort N/A
KEY MOMENTS
6' So close!
Gradel shifts the ball on to his right foot and takes aim. It looks like his effort is going to give his side an early lead but M'Bolhi just gets finger tips to it and tips it on to the post. The rebound came at Kodjia too quickly for the Aston Villa man to react.
20' GOAL!
Algeria take the lead. Bensebaini takes advantage of a loose ball after Bagayoko's botched challenge on Bounedjah, advances into the box and squares it to Feghouli, who finishes with aplomb!
48' PENALTY MISS!
Bounedjah takes the penalty himself and his shot goes over off the top of the bar! He looks distraught and Ivory Coast will have the wind in their sails now.
62' GOAL!!
Ivory Coast are back on level terms! Kodjia toakes down a high ball, rides a challenge from Benlamri and blasts a left-footed shot past M'Bolhi and into the bottom corner. Game on!
Penalties: Serey Die for Ivory Coast... OFF THE POST! Algeria go through!
KEY STAT
This is only the second time Algeria have reached the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations since they won the title on home soil in 1990.
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