Franck Kessie scored Ivory Coast’s equaliser from the spot after 86 minutes before stepping up to convert the decisive effort in the shoot-out.
Franck Kessie scored the winning penalty as hosts Ivory Coast sent holders Senegal tumbling out of the Africa Cup of Nations, sparking wild celebrations in Yamoussoukro.
Kessie, who had coolly dispatched an 86th-minute spot-kick past Edouard Mendy to earn a 1-1 draw and send the round-of-16 tie to extra time, delivered again with the crucial kick to seal a 5-4 shoot-out win after Moussa Niakhate had missed for favourites Senegal.
The Ivory Coast’s win continued a remarkable revival for the hosts, who had looked down and out in the group stage after a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Equatorial Guinea.
Senegal had looked set to end the curse that had seen no defending champions reach the last eight since 2010 when Habib Diallo rifled home with just four minutes on the clock.
The hosts responded well as they pinned Senegal back in their own half, but the holders’ defence held firm and Ivory Coast were restricted to a succession of half-chances.
Seko Fofana’s run into a dangerous area was superbly snuffed out by Niakhate and Senegal almost extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Ismaila Sarr stumbled over a shooting chance.
Falls only make a champion stronger! 🇸🇳👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/79cQlsCvlp
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 29, 2024
Sarr came close again early in the second half but Ivory Coast continued to press through Oumar Diakite, who almost served up a leveller for Jean Philippe Krasso just before the hour mark.
The holders missed an even better opportunity in the 74th minute when Kessie’s free-kick was parried by Mendy, who somehow got in the way of the same player’s follow-up from a tight angle.
Substitute Nicolas Pepe missed another huge chance when he lashed a curling effort straight at Mendy, but earned his side their crucial penalty four minutes from time when he was tripped by Mendy in the box.
Kessie kept his cool to force the additional half-hour and after neither side could break the deadlock, it came down to the shoot-out where the hosts scored all five to seal a famous triumph.
