1-0! Ivory Coast reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations and will face Nigeria for the title
In the early morning of February 8, Beijing time, the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast VS Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ivory Coast, ranked 49th in the world by FIFA, is a traditional powerhouse in African football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations twice in 1992 and 2015.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked 67th in the world by FIFA, is at best second-rate in Africa, and of course, the team has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice in 1968 and 1974, but this is the second time in the 21st century that it has reached the semi-finals.
Yes, Ivory Coast started the 433 formation, Alai, Adigra and Gradel formed a forward trident, midfielders Fofana, Seri and Kessie, four defenders Konan, Ndicka, Boly, Wilfried, and goalkeeper Fofana. The total value of the starting eleven is 120 million euros.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo started the 451 formation, with a single arrow Bakambu in the front, Visa, Kakuta, M. Elia, Samule, and Picker in the midfield, and four defenders Masuaku, Hernoke, Mbemba, Gerdion Kalulu, and goalkeeper Lionel. The starting eleven is worth a total of 62.5 million euros.
After the start of the game, Côte d'Ivoire did not have much of an advantage, but the Democratic Republic of Congo played more aggressively.
In the 9th minute, a corner kick from the left side of the Democratic Republic of Congo was driven into the penalty area, goalkeeper Fofana got the ball, and Bakambu kicked the ball into the goal from Fofana's hand, which of course cannot be counted.
In the 24th minute, the Democratic Republic of Congo made a diagonal cross to the penalty area from the left side of the front, and Bakambu hit the goal with a barb, which was blocked by Ndicka.
In the 42nd minute, Kessie took the ball from outside the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot that hit the post and popped off the bottom line.
In the 59th minute, Ivory Coast crossed the penalty area from the right, Kessie took the ball and adjusted it and shot from a distance, which was blocked by the goalkeeper.
In the 65th minute, Gradel crossed from the right side, Alai volleyed at the back of the penalty area, and the ball bounced off the ground and flew into the goal from the top of the goalkeeper's header. Côte d'Ivoire leads the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0.
In the 79th minute, the Democratic Republic of Congo passed the ball into the penalty area and was cleared, and Elia volleyed the goal, which was off the line.
In the 84th minute, Armani took the ball to the edge of the penalty area, and then shot from a distance and missed the bottom line.
In the 90th minute, Ivory Coast's front court was plugged straight, and Bamba inserted it to form a single knife, passed the goalkeeper and then crossed near the bottom line, which was blocked by the defender.
In the end, thanks to Alli's goal, Ivory Coast defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 and reached the final of this European Cup. In the semi-finals, Nigeria eliminated South Africa on penalties.
Alli made a name for himself at Ajax after many years of playing in Europe, but returned to action shortly after joining Borussia Dortmund after discovering testicular cancer.
When the host Ivory Coast lost 0:4 to Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, coach Gassett stepped down, but after finally advancing to the knockout stage as one of the four best group runners, he wanted to temporarily loan French women's football coach Renard to put out the fire, but was rejected by the French Football Federation, and could only be led by interim coach Fai, but reached the final.
The Asian Cup is also there, before the start of the game, due to the poor record, Jordanian coach Amuta may also leave class at any time, and he will continue to bring Jordan to the final after qualifying from the group.