Sebastien Haller scored the first goal of the game for Ivory Coast
(REUTERS)
Ivory Coast have had a thrilling route to the semi-finals of their home tournament and now face a clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations showpiece.
They snuck through the group stages with only one win in three and following a final group game loss to Equatorial Guniea they sacked their manager, with Emerse Fae taking interim charge.
A last-16 penalty shootout saw them defeat current champions Senegal before Oumar Diakite netted a 122nd-minute winner against Mali (before getting sent off) to send the hosts into the final four.
DR Congo, meanwhile, have grown into the tournament nicely. They drew all three of their group stage games before knocking out Egypt on penalties and beating Guinea 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Of the remaining teams, the Leopards are certainly dark horses to lift the trophy for the first time since 1974.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest Afcon odds and tips right here:
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90+2 mins: A speculative effort from Banza on the spin but it’s high and well over the bar from the Congolese substitute.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:53
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90+1 mins: Into the first of five added minutes we go as Ivory Coast look to hold on to their one-goal advantage.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:53
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90 mins: A double change for Ivory Coast late on as potential match-winner Haller and Gradel are substituted for Krasso and Boga.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:51
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
84 mins: Amani tries his luck from range but pulls his effort well wide from distance.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:45
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
80 mins: Ivory Coast make a change of their own, now, as we enter the final ten minutes of this game. Bamba replaces Adringra who has had a good game alongside Gradel and Haller in attack.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:42
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
78 mins: An immediate response from DR Congo as Ellia as volleys just wide from the edge of the box. That will be his last contribution of the game as he makes way for Silas.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:40
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
75 mins: Both sides head to their respective benches for a cooling break. A much-needed change for DR Congo to regroup as they go in search of an equaliser to keep their Afcon hopes alive.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:36
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
71 mins: CLOSE! A misplaced header from the DR Congo defence plays through Haller but his audacious chip – with Mpasi off his line – goes just wide.
So close to a vital second for the Ivorian striker.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:33
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
69 mins: The hosts almost double their lead from a set-piece but Haller’s near-post header drifts over the bar.
In response, DR Congo make a triple change as Banza, Tshibola and Mayele come on for Bakambu, Pickel and Wissa.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:31
GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo (Haller, 65 mins)
Gradel hits the right byline and finds Haller at the back post but it’s an audacious, volleyed finish from the striker who fires his strike into the ground and sends it looping past Mpasi into the far corner.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 21:26
