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Played
January 25, 2012 3:15 PM EST
Estadio de Bata — Bata
Referee: Khalid Abdul Rahman
January 25, 2012 3:15 PM EST
Estadio de Bata — Bata
Referee: Khalid Abdul Rahman
Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal: Co-hosts celebrate progression to quarterfinals as pre-tournament favorites crash out
The Teranga Lions will have to pack their bags as they were punished for their inefficiency in front of goal by the co-hosts, who sealed an unlikely progression to the next round
By Vasil Kotsev
fans.Equatorial Guinea
Pre-tournament favorite Senegal crashed out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after a surprising 1-2 defeat to minnows Equatorial Guinea.
Despite creating plenty of chances throughout the game, the Teranga Lions struggled to find the back of the net, and were punished by a second-half goal by Iban Iyanga.
Substitute Moussa Sow netted an equalizer moments before injury time, but David Alvarez popped up with the winner for Equatorial Guinea, which progressed to the quarterfinals.
Laurence Doe made a couple of crucial interventions at the back early on for the Nzalang Nacional as he first out-jumped Demba Ba to head away a dangerous cross in the 5th minute, and shortly after superbly dispossessed Dia, who was preparing to pull the trigger from 10 yards out.
Moments later Dame Ndoye went close to opening the scoring as he capped off a fine run with a powerful strike, which was deflected out for a corner on the left. Papiss Demba Cisse was next to threaten Danilo's goal as in the 15th minute he beautifully controlled a cross on his chest, and tried to lob the goalkeeper, but his finish went over the bar.
Senegal was rapidly tightening the grip, and created yet another chance shortly after as a cross from Dia found Ba completely free inside the box, but the striker could only strike wide from 11 yards out.
Equatorial Guinea improved significantly after the break, and created a very good chance in the 57th minute through Javier Balboa, who delivered a solid pass from the right wing for Thierry Fidjeu, but Souleymane Diawara was first to the ball.
Moments later, however, the Nzalang Nacional's efforts were rewarded as a cross by David Alvarez was headed into the net by Iyanga from inside the box to put Senegal on the brink of elimination.
The Teranga Lions threw everything forward in the remaining minutes of the game, and Cisse was guilty of missing a great chance in the 71st minute, when he was released near the penalty spot, but chose to pass back instead of shoot from just eight yards.
Senegal gave it all until the final whistle, but finally found the goal it deserved in the 89th minute through substitute Sow, who took advantage of a shake-up in Equatorial Guinea's defense to poke home with an acrobatic finish.
Alvarez, however, had the final say in matters as he netted with a thunderous long-range strike in injury time to seal the victory for the co-hosts of the tournament. Laurence Doe was sent off moments later, but it mattered little as Equatorial Guinea progressed to the next round.
Despite creating plenty of chances throughout the game, the Teranga Lions struggled to find the back of the net, and were punished by a second-half goal by Iban Iyanga.
Substitute Moussa Sow netted an equalizer moments before injury time, but David Alvarez popped up with the winner for Equatorial Guinea, which progressed to the quarterfinals.
Laurence Doe made a couple of crucial interventions at the back early on for the Nzalang Nacional as he first out-jumped Demba Ba to head away a dangerous cross in the 5th minute, and shortly after superbly dispossessed Dia, who was preparing to pull the trigger from 10 yards out.
Moments later Dame Ndoye went close to opening the scoring as he capped off a fine run with a powerful strike, which was deflected out for a corner on the left. Papiss Demba Cisse was next to threaten Danilo's goal as in the 15th minute he beautifully controlled a cross on his chest, and tried to lob the goalkeeper, but his finish went over the bar.
Senegal was rapidly tightening the grip, and created yet another chance shortly after as a cross from Dia found Ba completely free inside the box, but the striker could only strike wide from 11 yards out.
Equatorial Guinea improved significantly after the break, and created a very good chance in the 57th minute through Javier Balboa, who delivered a solid pass from the right wing for Thierry Fidjeu, but Souleymane Diawara was first to the ball.
Moments later, however, the Nzalang Nacional's efforts were rewarded as a cross by David Alvarez was headed into the net by Iyanga from inside the box to put Senegal on the brink of elimination.
The Teranga Lions threw everything forward in the remaining minutes of the game, and Cisse was guilty of missing a great chance in the 71st minute, when he was released near the penalty spot, but chose to pass back instead of shoot from just eight yards.
Senegal gave it all until the final whistle, but finally found the goal it deserved in the 89th minute through substitute Sow, who took advantage of a shake-up in Equatorial Guinea's defense to poke home with an acrobatic finish.
Alvarez, however, had the final say in matters as he netted with a thunderous long-range strike in injury time to seal the victory for the co-hosts of the tournament. Laurence Doe was sent off moments later, but it mattered little as Equatorial Guinea progressed to the next round.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prince Oniangue
Midfielder Congo |
2 | 1 |
|
T. Mputu
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Atusaye Nyondo
Striker Malawi |
2 | 0 |
|
A. Kaluyituka
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Léger Djimrangar
Defender Chad |
2 | 0 |