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Ivory Coast national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Quarter-Finals
Feb 1, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 
Algeria national football team

3-1

Bony (26', 68'), Gervinho (94')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between Ivory Coast and Algeria.
2

Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between Ivory Coast and Algeria.

The two sides were among the pre-tournament favourites to lift the cup in Equatorial Guinea this year.

The winner of this match will face Congo DR in the semi-finals next week.

Please note that kickoff is at 7.30pm.


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Good evening! There's just one place left in the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Ivory Coast and Algeria battling it out for that spot. Let's start with a look at the teams...

IVORY COAST STARTING XI: Gbohouo Bailly, Kolo Toure, Kanon, Aurier, Yaya Toure, Die, Tiene, Gradel, Bony, Gervinho

ALGERIA STARTING XI: M'Bolhi, Mandi, Bougherra, Medjana, Ghoulam, Taider, Bentaleb, Feghouli, Brahimi, Mahrez, Soudani

The good news for Ivory Coast is that striker Gervinho is available again after serving a two-match ban for a sending off in the first game of the campaign. Yaya Toure is also in the starting lineup, despite limping out of their final game of the group stage.

There's mixed team news for Algeria, who many had tipped to win the tournament this year. Islam Slimani is missing again as he continues to recover from a thigh injury, but Yacine Brahimi has recovered from the injury that forced him off against Senegal earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters ahead of this match, Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard said: "There are not many teams in the world who are capable of attacking all the time. At international level Spain have been able to play that way and today maybe Germany too. But we are not Germany, we are Ivory Coast."

This will be the seventh meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations between these two sides. It's been a historically tight match-up, with two wins a piece, and two draws.

The winners of this match will face Congo DR in the last four. Despite not winning in the group stages, DR were impressive in the second half of their quarter-final, coming from tow goals down to beat neighbours Congo 4-2. In the event that this match ends in a draw, it'll be extra time and then penalties to split the sides.

Max Gradel will be one of the players to watch this evening. The Ivory Coast striker has netted in four of his last five competitive matches for the team. Meanwhile, Sofiane Feghouli will be a danger for the Algerian side, having been credited with two assists in the group stage.

The players are making their way out ready for kickoff in Malabo. There are a few pre-match formalities to get through before the contest can begin though, including the national anthems.

While the anthems take place, here's the Algeria squad making their way to the ground earlier:


KICKOFF! Ivory Coast get the match underway.

Algeria are on the attack early on and force a corner, which Brahimi takes short to Mahrez before crossing it in for Carl Mejani, but Gbohouo gets to it first.

Algeria have certainly made the brighter start to this encounter as they're on the attack attack, forcing Yaya Toure to concede a free kick. Mahrez's delivery is low, allowing Gradel to make the block.

Algeria have another free kick in a similar position, but it's the same result as Kolo Toure boots it clear this time. Ivory Coast go on the counter-attack as they try to put Algeria under pressure for the first time, but Bentaleb blocks his path.

CHANCE! Feghouli battles hard to allow Brahimi to get a dangerous looking cross in. Gbohouo appeared to have it covered, but a mix-up between him and Tiene allowed Soudani to get a shot away, but the keeper was able to make the save.

Brahimi and Mahrez link up on the edge of the box again as they continue to push for an early goal for Algeria, but the latter loses out, allowing Gervinho to make a charge down the other end. He weaves around a couple of defenders before trying to square it to Bony, but is pass was behind the new Manchester City forward. That's the first time Ivory Coast have got into a promising position.

Bony battles to win the ball on the edge of the box, but he's penalised for a foul on Ghoulam while jumping to meet the ball. It really wasn't meant to be for Bony as he takes the shot anyway after the whistle for some target practice, and hits the post!

CHANCE! Gradel shows why he has earned promotion to the starting lineup with stunning pace and impressive footwork to cut inside from out wide, beating a couple of defenders, but he hurries hit shot, and fires well wide.

After surviving a bit of a spell from Ivory Coast, Algeria are back on the attack and win another free kick. Kolo Toure tries to head Taider's effort clear, but it's into the path of Soudani, whose finish it poor.

OFF THE POST! Ivory Coast come within inches of breaking the deadlock as Serge Aurier rises highest to meet a long ball forward to try to head it in, but he's denied by the post. Yaya Toure tries to gather the rebounf, but Ghoulam makes the clearance.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-0 Algeria (Wilfried Bony)

Wilfried Bony opens the scoring with a well-taken header to give Ivory Coast the lead, timing his dive superbly to nod a Max Gradel cross into the bottom corner. It was a similar move to the one that resulted in Aurier hitting the most, but with Bony on the end of it, there was only one place that was going to end up.

Algeria are immediately looking for an equaliser, and they think they have a chance when Ghoulam plays the ball forward for Feghouli, but there's too much pace on the ball, and it goes behind for a goal kick.

There's an injury concern for Ivory Coast as the lively Max Gradel is involved in a clash of heads with Madjid Boughuerra, and it's the Ivory Coast striker who comes of worse, but it looks like he'll be able to continue. Incidentally, Bouguerra is playing with a broken nose, although he's removed to protective match that he was wearing at the start of the game.

Ivory Coast are really starting to dictate the play now as Gervinho tries to cut inside from the left looking to team up with Bony, but Medjani does just enough to block his path. The Bony goal has really boosted the Elephants' confidence.

Brahimi plays the ball in behind looking for Aissa Mandi out wide to try to set up a chance for Algeria, but the defender is flagged offside, although it looked like it might have been a tight call.

There hasn't been a great deal happening in the last couple of minutes as Ivory Coast look happy enough to sit back and defend their one-goal lead for the time being. Algeria are trying to attack when they have the ball, but Herve Renard's side are keeping possession well.

Algeria eventually manage to force a free kick around 25 yards out, but Taider's ball in is overhit, leaving his teammates with no chance of getting on the end of it.

CHANCE! Bony finds himself in space around 25 yards out with only one defender ahead of him. He makes it to the edge of the box and rounds Ghoulam before unleashing a low drive, but it's just wide.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast have suddenly upped the tempo again as Gervinho bursts forward to set up a chance for Bony, but Medjani is there to make the block. Meanwhile, Bailly is off the pitch at the minute receiving treatment after biting his lip following a flailing arm from Feghouli.

CHANCE! Brahimi goes for glory from 35 yards out for Algeria, and he's struck it well, but the powerful effort it watched all the way before being claimed by Gbohouo.

This is a fascinating final few minutes to the first half! Feghouli gets involved again, trying to find Brahimi with a low pass, but Kolo Toure intercepts it and turns it behind for a corner, which the keeper is able to claim.

Discipline has been a bit of an injury for Ivory Coast in the first half as Yaya Toure gives away another free kick for a clumsy challenge on Soudani. Taider goes for goal from the set piece, but it curls just wide.

HALF TIME: Ivory Coast 1-0 Algeria

So, it's just one goal that separates the teams at the break, with Wilfried Bony heading Ivory Coast ahead midway through the opening period. Algeria haven't looked too threatening in front of goal so far, but they've seen plenty of half-chances, and while just a goal down they remain in this tie.

Let's take a look at some of the statistics from the opening 45 minutes. Algeria actually had more time on the ball, with 58% of the posseesion. They also had five shots, two of which were on target, which is one more in each category than Ivory Coast managed. Fouls have been a real problem for Ivory Coast too. They've given away 15 free kicks, while Algeria have conceded just six.

While Ivory Coast have clearly made the most of their opportunities against an Algeria side that haven't fully hit their stride yet, they will need to be careful after the break. Just one shot on target surely won't be enough to reach the semi-final, and Algeria aren't the tournament favourites by accident, sooner or later the North African side will surely but their opponents under pressure.

The players are making their way back out ready for the second half.

KICKOFF! Algeria get the second half underway.

Algeria are showing promise as they string together some quick passes to set up Feghouli on the edge of the box, but Bailly is their to make the clearance for Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast are soon down the other end pushing for a second as Serey Die makes a run down the right before winning a free kick, which Tiene curls in towards Bony, but the big striker is beaten to the ball in the air by Bouguerra.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast clearly want the second goal to try and take the game away from Algeria, and Gervinho tries to force one in with a volley just inside the box, but it's blocked.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (Hilal Soudani)

Feghouli hits it high somewhat speculatively, but Soudani controls is superbly just outside the box before spotting the keeper off his line. He cuts inside around the keeper, with only Bailly back to try to make the block, but the striker's low drive easily beats the defender to level the scores.

Algeria are somewhat in the ascendancy now as their equaliser has stunned Ivory Coast. The North Africans force a free kick in a promising position, but Gbohouo punches it away for Ivory Coast.

Brahimi flicks the ball on for Feghouli, who crosses it low across the face of goal looking for Taider, but it's deflected away by Kanon. Mahrez tries to put it back in, but it penalised for some physical play against Kolo Toure.

It's end to end stuff and the minute as Feghouli comes close at one end before Gervinho tries to break down the other end, but Algeria then force a corner on the counter-attack. It comes to nothing, but a run down the other end from Serey Die can't set up a chance for Ivory Coast.

Serey Die has to get back to help out in defence to block a run from Brahimi as Algeria continue to grow in confidence. Medjani crosses it back in for Algeria, but none of his teammates are ready for it in the middle, which is a pity for them as it was a superb ball in.

CHANCE! Gervinho is always an exciting player to watch, and he proves a handful as he weaves through the Algeria defenders before setting up Gradel for a shot, but it's pulled wide.

CHANCE! How are Algeria not ahead?! Soudani smashes the ball towards the Ivory Coast goal to try and force it in after a ball in from Brahimi, but Gbohouo somehow gets his fingertips to it.

PENALTY APPEAL! Ivory Coast want a penalty as Wilfried Bony takes a tumble while trying to force the ball past M'Bolhi, but the referee instead blows for a foul on the Algeria keeper.

SUB! Ivory Coast make the first change of the night, replacing Siaki Tiene with Cheick Doukoure.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 2-1 Algeria (Wilfried Bony)

Ghoulam brings down Gradel around 25 yards out to give Ivory Coast a free kick. Yaya Toure steps up to curl it in, and he finds the head of his new club teammate, leaving Wilfried Bony to powerfully nod it into the top right corner.

CHANCE! Gervinho tries to sure up Ivory Coast's lead, playiing the ball in for Bony again. It's cleared as far as Doukoure, who pulls it back for Gradel, but the move surprises the striker, and it goes through his legs and clear.

SUBS! Algeria make a double change, sending on Ishak Belfodil for Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani for Soudani. The introduction of Slimani is high-risk, as the captain was ruled out through injury ahead of this match. If he was too injured to start, this could go badly wrong for Algeria. If his absence was just a precaution though, it could be a genius move.

Belfodil is having an immediate impact on the right flank, using his pace to get the better of Mandi, and he forces a corner, but it's easily cleared by Toure.

BOOKING! The referee reaches for the yellow card for the first time, booking Nabil Bentaleb for charging into Max Gradel.

Slimani has been a big loss for Algeria in their last couple of matches, and he almost creates the equaliser as he plays it through for Feghouli, but Brahimi can't turn it in. Gervinho finds Gradel on the counter-attack, but the keeper manages to claim it.

CHANCE! There's a mix-up between the Ivory Coast defenders as Slimani goes on the counter-attack. Ivory Coast have two center-backs waiting to block the Algeria captain, but they run into each other to let the striker through, but Gbohouo pounces on it.

CHANCE! Why on Earth was Slimani on the bench? He looks in superb form since coming on as he meets a high ball into the box from Feghouli, but he heads it just wide.

CHANCE! Algeria are peppering the Ivory Coast goal as they try to force a late equaliser, but Ghoulam's curling strike from a free kick is tipped behind for a corner by the keeper. Ivory Coast's defence has looked pretty ropey since they regained the lead, but Gbohouo has been sensational.

Gervinho breaks for Ivory Coast with only Taider for company. The Algeria man appears to lose his footing, leaving Gervinho clear. However, the referee calls it back for a foul, although the contact between the two players appeared to be minimal.

BOOKING! Saphir Taider picks up just the second yellow of the match for a foul on Toure. He's lucky not to get himself booked again as he punches the ball away in anger.

SUB! It's a surprise change for Ivory Coast as the goalscorer makes way, with Junior Tallo taking over from Bony. Meanwhile, there are four minutes of stoppage time to be played.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria (Gervinho)

Brahimi continues to push deep into to stoppage time, but he trips in the box to allow Ivory Coast to break. Tallo takes it down the right flank before squaring it to Gervinho, who takes a touch before lashing it into the bottom corner to surely seal the semi-final spot.

FULL TIME: Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria

So Gervinho puts the win beyond doubt deep in stoppage time, sealing Ivory Coast's place in the semi-finals at the expense of Algeria. It was far from convincing from the Elephants, but they set up a last-four tie against Congo DR.

That's all from this match, but join us again on Wednesday for the first of the semi-finals, which will feature Ivory Coast. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure strikes the ball to net his team's second in the Africa Cup of Nations match against Tunisia on January 26, 2013
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212


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