10-man Egypt exit 2023 AFCON on penalties as DR Congo advance

• Egypt 1 – 1 DR Congo (DR Congo wins 8-7 on penalties)

Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scored the decisive penalty kick, as DR Congo produced the latest shock at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by knocking out pre-tournament favourites Egypt in a nail-bitting shootout after a 1-1 draw after extra time.

It was DR Congo that took the lead for the first time at the Finals through Meschack Elia, who nodded in a Yoane Wissa’s after 37 minutes of play.

Their lead, however, lasted for nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed converted a penalty awarded after VAR review on the stroke of half-time, after Ahmed Hegazi was fouled by Dylan Batubinsika.

Egypt finished with 10 men, after left-back Mohamed Hamdy was shown a second yellow card seven minutes into extra time for a non-sportsmanship foul on Simon Banza.

During tense penalty shootouts, the Pharaohs keeper Gabaski rattled the crossbar in the ninth round of the shoot-out, as his counterpart goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi stepped up to win it 8-7 on penalties.

DR Congo will play Guinea in the Quarter-finals at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Friday (20:00 GMT). The Syli Nation beat Equatorial Guinea earlier on Sunday.