AFCON: Congo beat 10-man Egypt, qualify for quarterfinals on penalties

Record seven-time champions Egypt, missing the injured talisman Mohamed Salah, were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after losing a penalty shootout 8-7 against DR Congo.

Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi converted the decisive spot-kick in San-Pedro after his counterpart, Mohamed Abou Gabal, had seen his kick strike the bar and fly over.

In a tense last-16 clash that finished 1-1 after extra time, Meschack Elia scored on the 37th minute for DR Congo, and Mostafa Mohamed equalized in first-half added time from a penalty.

Liverpool star Salah was injured in a group match against Ghana and returned to his club, who stated that he would likely only be able to rejoin the tournament if Egypt reached the final.

DR Congo will face Guinea, last-gasp 1-0 winners over Equatorial Guinea earlier on Sunday, next Friday in Abidjan for a place in the semi-finals.

Egypt and DR Congo, with nine Cup of Nations titles between them, failed to secure a victory in the group stage in the Ivory Coast this month, finishing runners-up to Cape Verde and Morocco, respectively, with identical records of three draws and three points.

The difference lay in the number of goals scored, with Egypt netting six times, including three from France-based Mohamed, and DR Congo only twice.

This was the fifth AFCON clash between the countries since 1970, with the Pharaohs defeating the Leopards three times and losing once ahead of the showdown in the west Ivorian coastal city.

Notable absentees due to injuries were Egyptian Mohamed el Shenawy, widely regarded as the best Africa-based goalkeeper, and DR Congo playmaker Gael Kakuta.