Senegal started flashy and hit the post within forty seconds via Sadio Mané. After that, the big VAR show started. Before halftime, Patrick Andrade was shown red for Cape Verde after he unhappily went over the ball with his foot, but did hit his opponent’s ankle full.
Even after the break, the VAR intervened, when Mané collided hard with keeper Vozinha. Both suffered head injuries, but Vozinha had fouled the broken attacker, so the verdict was said and so he could also leave.
Against nine men, Senegal then quickly made it 1-0 because Mané shot in from a corner. The VAR also wanted to cancel this goal due to an alleged violation, but referee Lahlou Benbrahm from Algeria did not agree. Senegal then failed to take distance, giving the Cape Verde nine a small chance to equalize, but this was not converted. In stoppage time, the 2-0 eventually fell through Baba Djeng.
Morocco to last eight in Africa Cup
Morocco has qualified for the quarter-finals in the Africa Cup. The team of national coach Vahid Halilhodzic won 2-1 against Malawi in Yaoundé in Cameroon.
With a nice shot from great distance, Gabadinho Mhango opened the score for Malawi in the early stages. Thanks to hits from Youssef En-Nesyri (header from close range) and Achraf Hakimi (free kick in the top corner), Morocco stepped off the field as the winner. Zakaria Aboukhlal (AZ) came in for Morocco in the 88th minute.
Earlier in the evening, Senegal was 2-0 too strong for nine Cape Verde men. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) scored the opening goal after more than an hour. In extra time, substitute Bamba Dieng decided the game.
Cape Verde was already playing with nine men at the time of the first goal, after red cards for Patrick Andrade (21st minute) and Vozinha (57th minute). Jeffry Fortes (De Graafschap) had a base place at Cape Verde. Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard) came on fifteen minutes before the end.
