A successful lottery for the "desert fox" and the departure of Madagascar: Algeria and Tunisia reached the semifinals of the African Nations Cup

The first goal against Algeria and an unrealized penalty

If in the first quarterfinal matches of the African Nations Cup there was a favorite, then on Wednesday in the confrontation of Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria it was difficult to determine the strongest. "Elephants" always claim to the highest places of the continental championship, and even won the title four years ago.

“Desert Foxes” took the CAS gold only once - in 1990 - and this time they intended to repeat the success of 29 years ago. In the first four matches of the tournament, the wards of Djamel Belmadi proved to be an extremely strong team and not only achieved four victories, but did not miss a single goal.

However, it was Ivorians who started the match more actively. Already in the first minutes they created a couple of very dangerous moments. Particularly unpleasant was a shot from outside the penalty area, played by Max-Alain Gradel. After a midfield strike, the ball took over the post.

The Algerians responded with the most dangerous attack of Riyadh Marez, who nearly ended in a goal. And in the middle of the first half, the greens unexpectedly took the lead. All the same Marez on the left flank struggled for the ball with a defender, the projectile immediately picked up Rami Bensebaini and completed the perfect backache for Sofian Feguli.

Now, the Ivorians had to go forward, but they had little to do in another half of the field. The game began to break into episodes. In addition, players often fouls, and at some point a small skirmish occurred on the pitch.

And at the very beginning of the second half, the Algerians earned a penalty. Baghdad Bunej ran away to a rendezvous with Sylvain Ghouuo and made a somersault through the goalkeeper, throwing the ball on his turn. The judge after a brief meeting with video assistants pointed to the "point".

Beat the penalty went Bunedja himself and a powerful blow almost broke the crossbar.

Ivorians took advantage of the opponent's generosity and in ten minutes restored the status quo on the scoreboard. Jonathan Kogia beat the defender and delivered the most accurate blow to the far corner. Rais M'Boli, although he reached for the ball, failed to save his team. Algeria, for the first time in a tournament, allowed his opponent to upset himself.

Now the desert foxes have become active. They obviously did not want to play extra time. On the 69th minute, Bunedja did not realize one-on-one, and the coach decided to replace him. In the remaining time, the striker did not stop reproaching himself for the lost moment and the unrealized penalty and watched the game literally in tears.

A few minutes after his departure from the field, Mamadou Bagayoko knocked the ball out of an empty net.

As a result, the teams did not manage to avoid extra time. In it, the players tried to act carefully, but without the dangerous moments it was not enough. So, in the 104th minute, Mehdi Zeffan had to endure the shell almost from the ribbon in the commotion at the gate.

And in the second overtime, Ghouo made a great save after throwing into the penalty area and hitting his head at Islam Slimani. In the very same ending, the wards of Djamel Belmadi earned the most dangerous standard, from which fresh Andi Delort almost twisted the ball into the far corner.

Thus, the teams did not reveal the winner even in extra time and went to shoot a penalty. The first mistake was made by Wilfried Boni, who sent the ball to the post. However, the last blow of his blot was repeated by Yusef Belaili. Ivorians got an opportunity to escape, but Sery Dee again got into a stand.

Côte d'Ivoire finished the tournament, and Algeria, for the first time in nine years, reached the CAN semi-finals, where they will play with Nigeria.

Three goals of Tunisia and the failure of Madagascar

Lucky luck and another team from the north of the continent - the national team of Tunisia. “Carthage Eagles” stopped a great performance of the main surprise of the tournament - Madagascar. Debutants CAS not only immediately went into the playoffs, but also knocked out of the fight in the DR Congo penalty shootout series.

To cope with the Tunisians football players from Madagascar failed. More precisely, the strength of the team of Nicolas Dupuis was only enough for the first half. After the break, the balls began to fly into the gates of Melvin Adrien one by one.

Opened an account on the 52nd minute Ferzhani Sassi, and very soon he was supported by Youssef Msakni. Finally, Naim Slyti put an end to the time already added by the arbitrator.

Tunisia - in the top four of the tournament. In the semifinals, the Carthaginian Eagles will meet with Senegal, and Madagascar under the applause of the audience goes home. At the debut tournament, the modest team managed to really fall in love with the fans.