Senegal haven’t created a chance since their opening goal
Senegal #Senegal
Follow live reaction as the Africa Cup of Nations hosts eliminated Senegal on penalties in Yamoussoukro today
Michael Dominski
January 29, 2024 at 6:58 PM EST
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Result: Senegal 1-1 Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast win 5-4 on penalties)Senegal haven’t created a chance since their opening goal
36′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Mane draws a foul in midfield, much to the displeasure of the Ivory Coast fans who are still unhappy about his borderline red-card worthy challenge on Sangare earlier, but Senegal quickly lose possession and normal service resumes with the host team dominating possession.
Cooling break
31′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
The referee pauses play for our typical drinks break.
Ivory Coast have now gone four hours of game time since their last goal at this tournament.
Senegal block Fofana chance
27′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
A wonderful team move by Ivory Coast allows Krasso to lay the ball off in the box for a late-arriving Fofana, but the Senegalese defence recovers just in time to block his ensuing shot attempt.
Senegal can hardly get a touch
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25′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Senegal must be getting frustrated with their complete lack of possession at the moment. Manager Aliou Cisse is shown exhorting his players on the bench.
Ivory Coast looking for equaliser
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22′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
It’s been all Ivory Coast lately, as they pin Senegal deep in their own area and sustain attacking pressure.
Seri has a chance to swing a long free kick into the box but he hits it too far, allowing Mendy to come out and catch it.
Better from Ivory Coast
16′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Mane’s challenge has clearly woken Ivory Coast up. Seko Fofana just picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and dribbled past three players effortlessly but the move eventually breaks down.
We are starting to see them look much more assured in possession.
Sangare plays on
14′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Sangare is back on the pitch after all. You have to wonder if Ivory Coast’s use of the stretcher was an attempt to goad VAR into consider upgrading Mane’s card to a red…
Sangare stretchered off but may continue
13′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
This is a slightly strange situation as Sangare has been stretchered off the pitch but Ivory Coast have not made a substitute.
One of their backroom staff has run over to check on him and he is suddenly back on his feet!
Sangare ailing after Mane challenge
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12′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Sangare has just been wiped out by Sadio Mane who has picked up a booking, Max Gradel doesn’t look particularly happy and shoves Senegal’s captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
The referee has now signalled for a stretcher, which would be a real shame if Sangare cannot continue. The Ivorian journalists sat in front of me are all signalling for a VAR check.
Mane booked
9′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Mane slides recklessly into Sangare, catching him in the shin with his cleats with some force.
He’s shown a yellow card and might be breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn’t worse.
Mane finds Diallo for Senegal goal
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6′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
What an incredible goal from Diallo!
You could tell right from the first whistle that Senegal are such a slick operation on the ball. Cleverly moving it around to the right before switching it back to the left where Mane and Jakobs have a great partnership.
Mane produces a step-over, whips the ball into the box and Diallo lashes it past Fofana.
A massive red flare has just been let off by the Senegal fans on my left. It was loud before and it is deafening now! The worst possible start from Ivory Coast.
GOAL! Senegal immediately take the lead!
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4′ Senegal 1-0 Ivory Coast
Habib Diallo smashes the ball into the roof of the net and gives Senegal a dream start!
Kick-off!
1′ Senegal 0-0 Ivory Coast
Senegal get the ball rolling and we’re underway in this massive round of 16 clash!
Senegal’s supporters are ready
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The Senegal fans are truly on another level. There is a large section of them behind one of the goals dressed in green, red and gold who were in the stadium dancing three hours before kick-off.
Behind the dugouts, the supporters are more like a band. They are banging their drums as if they are going to war.
African football fandom is really something special.
Niakhate returns for Senegal
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Senegal make three changes to the starting line-up they used in their final group-stage game, a 2-0 win over Guinea, bringing in Lamine Camara, Moussa Niakhate and Abdou Diallo for Abdoulaye Seck, Nampalys Mendy and Pape Gueye.
Ivory Coast drop Kessie to bench
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After starting all three of Ivory Coast’s group-stage matches at this tournament, Franck Kessié finds himself on the bench for today’s knockout game.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou makes his first start of the tournament, while Ivorian fans will be frustrated that Dortmund striker Sébastien Haller and Brighton winger Simon Adingra are still only fit enough for the bench.
Ivory Coast face a tough task today
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When other results went in the Ivory Coast’s favour and they qualified for the round of 16, people were cheering in the streets of Abidjan.
The sense of relief was palpable but they face a huge test to reach the quarter-finals. Senegal are the holders and the only team with a 100 per cent winning record. Ivory Coast are limping after successive defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, and it could get a lot worse for the host nation.
It promises to be an exciting fixture between two sides packed with talent. You can just tell there will be plenty of drama.
Senegal have been red hot
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Senegal are fascinating. The reigning champions are playing the best football at the tournament, reflected in their nine-point Group C haul.
It has extended their AFCON winning run to six games and they are well-placed to become the fourth nation to successfully defend the title. Their team is dripping with quality and, along with wingers Mane and Ismaila Sarr, Marseille’s Pape Gueye has been immense in midfield.