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Afcon 2023: Mendes fires Cape Verde into quarter-finals after striking late against Mauritania

Both teams had done their best to provide entertainment for thousands who were at the stadium and millions following proceedings at home. Neither team could get a goal in the first half, and when the clock ticked 85th minute, extra-time was beckoning. However, substitute Yassin El Welly casually headed the ball in the path of Gilson Benchimol in the 86th minute, and in his bid to save the situation, goalkeeper Babacar Niasse conceded a penalty.Captain Ryan Mendes unleashed a rocket from the spot kick to give Cape Verde their quarter-final ticket as the Blue Sharks won 1-0.

TELL ME MORE

Without a doubt, Babacar Niasse deserves recognition for his determined goalkeeping that saw him keep Cape Verde at bay with fantastic saves. The custodian did not deserve to be on the losing team.

THE MVP

A concentration lapse from Yassin El Welly is not what Mauritania had anticipated after their spirited performance. A bad day in the office for the defender with a mistake that undermined all the great work the team and the technical bench had done.

THE BIG LOSER  

Cape Verde have now, for the second time in a row, managed to get past the Round of 16 and they will be aiming at getting into the next phase with confidence as they take on either Morocco or South Africa on February 3.For Mauritania, this is their most successful outing at Afcon, and they will be building from it in the forthcoming editions.

WHAT'S NEXT? 

Afcon 2023: Mendes fires Cape Verde into quarter-finals after striking late against Mauritania | Goal.com Nigeria

Ryan Mendes scored the only goal as Cape Verde ended Mauritania&apos;s fairy tale in the ongoing Afcon in Ivory Coast.

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