Tokyo Olympics: Ivory Coast, Egypt miss out on semi final football qualifications

There was double disappointment for Africa in the men’s football as both Egypt and Ivory Coast were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Ivory Coast were eliminated by Spain, who needed extra-time to eventually win the match 5-2.

The Ivorians were minutes away from reaching the semi-finals of the men’s football but Spain scored a late equaliser to make it 2-2 and force extra-time.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly gave the Ivorians the lead after just three minutes before RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo equalised on the half-hour mark,

Turkey-based Max Gradel looked like he had won the game for Ivory Coast with a goal in the first minute of added time at the end of the match only for Rafa Mir to equalize for Spain moment later.

Spain took the lead in the first period of extra-time when Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after a handball by Bailly.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Mir added two more goals in the second-half of extra-time to complete his hat-trick and confirm Spain’s place in the last four.

Egypt also lost to reigning gold medallists Brazil 1-0 with the only goal of the game being scored by Hertha Berlin’s Matheus Cunha in the 37th minute.

BBC