Ivory Coast was eliminated from the 2021 African Cup of Nations by Egypt when Manchester United defender Eric Bailly missed a key penalty.
A star-studded Ivory Coast team, comprising Franck Kessie, Serge Aurier, Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pepe, and Sebastien Haller, had shined during the group stages and knocked off defending champions Algeria 3-1 in their previous appearance.
However, the Elephants met a difficult Egypt team in the last 16, and the two African heavyweights battled to a stalemate in Douala.
Bailly had a fantastic day as Ivory Coast kept Salah and Egypt at bay, but they were unable to strike during the game’s 120 minutes.
Following a penalty shoot-out, which provided the best kind of tournament drama, each of the first four spot-kicks was converted.
The Manchester United defender stepped up for his team’s third penalty, but he selected the worst possible time to try something new.
Skipping up to the ball in the manner of his club teammate Bruno Fernandes, Bailly nonchalantly chipped the ball into the top corner — only for Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski to stick up a strong hand and deflect the ball onto the post and away.
Egypt won the shoot-out 5-4 and will meet Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
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📱📺 Watch Ivory Coast v Egypt live on @BBCiPlayer.https://t.co/l0wVhJ2p1O #bbcafcon pic.twitter.com/GKNu2WzyEu
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 26, 2022
