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AFCON 2021: Egypt beat Ivory Coast in shootout to book last 8 spot

By Vincent Ashitey
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Eric Bailly missed a penalty as Egypt beat Ivory Coast in a shootout to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 0-0 draw.

On a bobbly pitch, The Elephants made a bright start but the Pharaohs finished the first half stronger with Omar Marmoush rattling the bar with a spectacular shot from distance and Mohamed Salah's shot from the edge of the box tipped over.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2021: Achraf Hakimi powers Morocco into quarter-finals

The Ivorians, who lost Franck Kessie to a suspected rib injury, went closest through Ibrahim Sangare's bicycle kick which was saved.

In the second half, Carlos Queiroz's side upped the tempo with Salah finding Amr El Soleya who wastefully lashed a shot over and substitute Trezeguet sending a shot wide.

The Elephants brought on Jeremy Borga and Wilfried Zaha and the Crystal Palace man went close to breaking the deadlock with a shot that was saved with keeper Mohamed El Shenawy going off injured as a result.

In extra time, the Egyptians created the better opportunities with Trezeguet again wasteful and Ahmed Sayed having a shot saved.

In the penalty shootout, Bailly's spotkick was saved by the substitute keeper Mohamed Abou Gabal. And it was left to Salah to slot in the winning penalty to win the shootout 5-4 and set up a quarter-final clash with north African rivals Morocco on Sunday.