The defending champions lost to Ivory Coast on penalties and advanced to the quarterfinals 5 6!
The knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations are about to begin, with Senegal taking on Ivory Coast. Senegal are the defending champions and favourites to win the title. Senegal had an excellent performance in the group stage, winning all three of their group games, sweeping Gambia 3-0, Cameroon 3-1 and Guinea 2-0. In contrast, Ivory Coast did not perform well in the group stage, losing to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and only winning against Guinea-Bissau. Despite this, Côte d'Ivoire qualified for the round of 16 as third in the group. Looking at the historical head-to-head record, Senegal do not have the advantage against Ivory Coast. This time, Senegal lost on penalties and Ivory Coast advanced to the round of 16!
Just four minutes into the game, Senegal scored the goal! Sadio Mane passes the ball and Habib Diallo stops the ball in the box and volleys it into the net like a cannonball. Senegal got off to a fantastic start. Côte d'Ivoire has been in trouble from the start. In the 15th minute, a Senegalese player played with fire in defense and was almost tackled, but Mendy was able to hold the ball decisively.
In the 39th minute, Fofana chested the ball in the box to receive a cross, but the force was too strong, and the ball flew out against the goal line before being cleared. Just before half-time, Sarr tried a long-range shot from outside the box, but the ball went just wide. The first half ended with Senegal winning 1-0 against Ivory Coast.
In the second half, it was easy to play again. In the 48th minute, Ismaila Sarr fired a low shot from a tight angle on the right side of the penalty area, and the goalkeeper quickly came out to block the ball. It was a quality shot but it ended up deflecting wide. In the 64th minute, the Ivory Coast made a substitution, with Adingira and Nicolás Pepe coming on. Three minutes later, Senegal made a change as well, with Nicolas Jacquesson coming on for Diallo.
In the 69th minute, Kamara tried a long-range shot from outside the box, but the ball hit the post and went wide. Six minutes later, Mane fired straight at Sarr's return pass in the box, but the ball went just wide. It was a good opportunity, but unfortunately Mane didn't take it. Senegal missed a great chance and was sent off in the 86th minute. Pepe created a penalty and Kessie converted the equaliser for Ivory Coast. The match was tied 1-1 in regulation time and had to go to extra time.
In the 100th minute, Aurier's long-range shot from outside the box went wide. Neither team scored in extra-time and had to go to penalties. In the shoot-out, only Niakate missed a penalty. In the end, Senegal suffered a heavy 5-6 defeat and was eliminated from the tournament. Ivory Coast advance to the round of 16!