Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Finals Ivory Coast Beats DR Congo to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations Final

With a 1-0 triumph over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sebastien Haller propelled hosts Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final against longtime rivals Nigeria, according to the Associated Press. In the 65th minute, Haller scored with a volley when Max Gradel’s cross rebounded and went in under the crossbar, sparking wild celebrations in the 60,000-seat Alassane Ouattara Stadium. After their semifinal match ended 1-1 after extra time, Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 in a shootout to get to the final. Kelechi Iheanacho netted the game-winning penalty earlier.

Players from Ivory Coast, seated top center, celebrate their victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The match was won 1-0 by Ivory Coast.
At the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sebastien Haller of Ivory Coast celebrates after scoring the game’s first goal in the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo.
In the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo, played at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Gael Kakuta, right, of DR Congo challenges Simon Adingra, left, for the ball.

Jonathan Bamba of Ivory Coast tries to flick the ball around during the Ivory Coast vs. DR Congo African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
At the Peace of Bouake stadium in Bouake Bouake, Ivory Coast, during Nigeria’s and South Africa’s African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match, the players from Nigeria celebrate winning the penalty shootout.
During the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Peace of Bouake stadium in Bouake Bouake, Ivory Coast, Nigeria’s Alhassan Yusuf is tackled by South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.

In the Peace of Bouake stadium in Bouake Bouake, Ivory Coast, during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Nigeria and South Africa, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili of Nigeria celebrates after William Troost-Ekong scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot.
At the Peace of Bouake stadium in Bouake Bouake, Ivory Coast, during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Nigeria and South Africa, William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot.

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