Mo Salah’s penalty seals Egypt’s Afcon shootout win over Ivory Coast after Man Utd ace Eric Bailly’s spot-kick blunder

ERIC BAILLY went from hero to zero as Mo Salah held his nerve to fire Egypt into the last-eight of the African Cup of Nations at the expense of Ivory Coast. The Manchester United defender was exceptional throughout as the two Afcon powerhouses battled to a goalless draw after 120 minutes. But the 27-year-old centre-back […]

ERIC BAILLY went from hero to zero as Mo Salah held his nerve to fire Egypt into the last-eight of the African Cup of Nations at the expense of Ivory Coast.

The Manchester United defender was exceptional throughout as the two Afcon powerhouses battled to a goalless draw after 120 minutes.

Reuters

Mo Salah celebrates with his team-mates after firing Egypt into the last-eight of Afcon[/caption]

AFP

The Liverpool star kept his cool to score the crucial penalty in the shootout win over Ivory Coast[/caption]

But the 27-year-old centre-back tarnished his performance in the shootout in what was a was a cruel ending for Bailly, who played superbly while sporting a rugby scrum cap on his return from a head injury.

Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe struck first for Ivory Coast before Zizo blasted in Egypt’s opening kick.

Ibrahim Sangare stepped up to convert as did Amr El Solia to make it 2-2 in a perfect start to spot-kicks for both teams.

Then came the big moment as man of the match Bailly casually strode up to strike the ball.

But his one-step effort was too close to Gabaski, who dived to his right and stuck out his hand to push the ball onto the bar.

The Zamalek keeper was an unlikely hero as he had only come on as substitute towards the end of the second half after No 1 Mohamed El Shenawy suffered a leg injury.

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It was then advantage Egypt as Omar Kamal scored to make it 3-2.

Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet kept Ivory Coast in it but Mohamed Abdel Monem maintained Egypt’s lead by hitting the net.

That left all the pressure on Wilfried Zaha, but he was up to the task as he sent it to the final, decisive kick.

Who else would Egypt turn to other than their talisman Mo Salah?

And the Liverpool star embraced the pressure by sending the keeper the wrong way to set-up a quarter final with Morocco.

Rex

Eric Bailly was left devastated after his miss cost Ivory Coast the game[/caption]

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