DR Congo stun Pharaohs in dramatic penalty shootout

SAN PEDRO, Ivory Coast

Egypt crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after being defeated by DR Congo at the San Pedro Stadium on Sunday evening. The match ended with a 1-1 scoreline after extra-time and had to go to penalties, where DR Congo dramatically won the match 8-7 on penalties.

DR Congo started off the match strong in the beginning stages making runs all the way from the halfway line into the penalty area, beating the Egyptian defenders.

Egypt snapped back into the game and created their own fair share of chances, Mohamed Elneny was creating opportunities for the Pharaohs but they could not finish them. The Pharaohs were dominating possession, but the Leopards took their chances when they received the ball.

DR Congo finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Meschak Elia who received a cross from Yoane Wissa and finished after a quick throw-in was taken. Egypt players made shouts but to no avail as South African referee Abongile Tom stood firm ground and the goal stood.

At the halftime mark, the Pharaohs were awarded a penalty and Mustafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a shot that was tucked into the top corner of the net. The incident was caused by Dylan Batubinsika who had his arm up in Ahmed Hegazi’s face in the penalty area and after a review from VAR, the spot kick was given.

The scoreline was 1-1 at the break, with both teams showing a hunger to win the game. DR Congo continued trying by creating a promising attacking move just past the 50th minute, as Elia crossed the ball into the net and Cedric Bakambu hit the side netting at the far post.

Egypt also continued to bide their time and find spaces to score. However, in the beginning stages of the second half of the match, the Leopards looked like the better team.

The final ten minutes saw things become more physical in the match as both teams tried their best to grab the winning goal. Egypt still dominated possession, but DR Congo improved and had a little more of the ball.

Matters were still level after 90 minutes of football and stoppage time. The match went into extra time and soon after, Egypt’s Mohamed Hamdy was sent off for a late tackle on Simon Banza after picking up a second yellow card in the 97th minute.

The end of the second half of extra time saw four minutes being added, in which both teams failed to grab the winner. Ultimately, the match had to go to penalties in order to decide the winner.

During the shootout, Mostafa Mohamed fired his shot wide and as Arthur Masuaku followed up during his turn, he missed his penalty as well. As each team had taken five kicks each and both had scored four penalties respectively, matters went into a sudden death.

Pharaohs goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed a penalty on his turn and in a dramatic turn of events, DR Congo's goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi switched their roles and scored, winning it for the Leopards.

The dramatic win means that DR Congo have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Afcon and Egypt have bowed out in the Round of 16 stage.

Egypt: M. Abou Gabal, M. Hany, A. Hegazi, M. Abdelmonem, A. Fotouh (M. Hamdi ’46), M. Attia (M. Hamada 84’), M. Elneny (M. Lasheen 112’), H. Fathi (O. Kamal 100’), A.Zizo (M. Fathi 90+1’), M. Mohamed, M. Trézéguet (O. Marmoush 84’)

DR Congo: L. Mpasi, A. Masuaku, D. Batubinsika (H. Inonga 65’), C. Mbemba, G. Kalulu, T. Bongonda, S. Moutoussamy, C. Pikel (Tshibola 78’), Y. Wissa (S. Mvumpa 88’), C. Bakambu (S. Banza 65’), M. Elia (G. Diangana 106’)