Egypt 1-1p DR Congo – Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scores winning spot kick in dramatic shootout to reach AFCON last eight
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Updated 29/01/2024 at 00:04 GMT
DR Congo are into the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after an 8-7 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw in the last 16. Meschak Elia gave DRC the lead before Mostafa Mohamed equalised from the spot. Pharaohs keeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed the vital kick in the shootout before his opposite number Lionel Mpasi netted the winner to the delight of the DRC travelling fans.
DR Congo's goalkeeper #1 Lionel Mpasi (UP) and DR Congo's players celebrate after winning at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro on January 28, 2024.
Image credit: Getty Images
A 10-man Egypt suffered a shock first defeat to DR Congo as they crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 8-7 on penalties to the underdogs after a bruising 1-1 last-16 draw between the sides after extra-time in San-Pedro.
In an astonishing end to the match, Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski cracked his effort off the bar before his opposite number in the DRC goal Lionel Mpasi converted to secure his country a quarter-final meeting with Guinea on Friday evening.
Seven-time AFCON champions and 2021 runners-up Egypt had levelled the match from the penalty spot via a Mostafa Mohamed finish in added time in the first half – awarded after Ahmed Hegazi was deemed to have been fouled in the air by Dylan Batubinsika – after Meschack Elia had headed the DRC ahead on 37 minutes.
Both sides huffed and puffed with Egypt clearly missing the injured Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah as they were reduced to 10 men in the 97th minute when Mohamed Hamdy was sent off for a second yellow after an ill-advised late foul.
Remarkably, the DRC – ranked 67th in the word – have reached the last eight without winning a match in regulation time at the event after drawing all three of their group games, while Egypt will return home with plenty of regrets about their latest exit from the tournament.
Guinea advanced to the last eight with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea earlier on Sunday.
Talking point: Salah's dream ends without him kicking a ball
There had been talk of the Liverpool striker, perhaps based more upon hope rather than reality, returning to the tournament if Egypt progressed to the latter stages, but they could not get the job done without their iconic forward, who injured his hamstring in a 2-2 draw with Ghana in the group stage.
"I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was greed upon from the beginning. I also love Egypt and its people," he said on social media before this match.
Whether suffering in Liverpool or in the heat and humidity of San-Pedro, this will have been a bitter pill to swallow for Salah as much as his crestfallen team-mates, who paid the ultimate penalty for failing to convert when the pressure was on.
It was arguably as brutal as the 4-2 loss on penalties to Senegal in the 2021 final.
Man of the match: Ahmed Hegazi (Egypt)
A towering performance in defence from the national team captain to repel a robust DRC attacking threat. Also netted for Egypt in sudden death of the fateful penalty shoot-out.
Player ratings
Egypt: Gabaski 6, Hany 6, Abdelmonem 6, Hegazi 8, Fatouh 6, Elneny 6, Fathy 6, Attia 6, Zizo 7, Mohamed 6, Trezeguet 6 Subs: Kamal 6, Hamdy 5, Lasheen 6, Hamada 6, Fathi 6, Marmoush 6
DR Congo: Mpasi 7, Kalulu 7, Mbemba 6, Batubinsika 6, Masuaku 7, Pickel 6, Moutoussamy 6, Bongonda 7, Elia 7, Bakambu 7, Wissa 7 Subs: Tshibola 6, Diangana 6, Katompa Mvumpa 6, Siadi 6, Banza 6
Match highlights
37' GOAL FOR DR CONGO! (ELIA) Well, would you believe this. A quick throw-in is taken by the DRC. Wissa throws over the cross and Meschack Elia arrives to dive and plant the header over the line. Egypt furious, but the goal will stand. VAR confirms the goal. A quick-thinking goal.
45' EGYPT LEVEL UP THE MATCH! (MOHAMED) Mostafa Mohamed with his fourth goal of the tournament. It is 1-1, and Egypt are level just before the break. Sending Lionel M'Pasi the wrong way. A fine finish with the penalty. Plenty of pace.
97' RED CARD FOR EGYPT A second yellow card for substitute Mohamed Hamdy for a crunching late challenge on Simon Banza. Poor tackle. Egypt down to 10 men for the rest of extra-time.
EGYPT MISS THE PENALTY! Mostafa Mohamed slams the penalty wide despite keeper going wrong way. Would you believe this. Poor effort. 1-1.
DRC MISS THEIR PENALTY Arthur Masuaku leans back and blasts the finish well over the bar. Still 1-1. Awful.
DR CONGO WIN THE PENALTY SHOOT-OUT! An 8-7 victory for the underdogs. Goalkeeper Gabaski hits the bar for Egypt and his opposite number Lionel Mpasi converts the winning kick after Henock Inonga and Mahmoud Hamada had carried it to 7-7. A big shock. It is the DRC who progress to a quarter-final meeting with Guinea on Friday. Egypt minus Mo Salah are out.
Key Stat
After nine previous meetings, Egypt – with six wins and three draws against their opponents – have suffered their first defeat to DR Congo in international football.
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