African Cup of Nations 2019, Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (3-4 on penalties): 3 Talking Points

#2 Ivory Coast play their part in making this an exhilarating fixture

Enter caption

After the round-of-16 fixtures were concluded, many picked the clash between Algeria and Ivory Coast to be the biggest one of the quarterfinals stage.

The quality of marquee players on both sides meant that a keenly contested fixture was expected and while most high profile matches in knockouts rounds of tournaments usually fail to live up to the hype, this one proved to be the exception.

Algeria, as expected, started the brighter of the two going ahead in the 20th minute. They had a wonderful opportunity to double their lead right at the start of the second half, only for Baghdad Bounedjah to smash his spotkick against the post.

Jonathan Kodjia showed no such profligacy at the other end, displaying great composure and technique to draw Ivory Coast level in the 62nd minute.

For the entirety of the game, there was precious little to choose between both sides, as the two teams provided all round drama, physicality and end-to-end action for all to savour.

The closeness of the tie is best exemplified by the fact neither team could be separated after 120 minutes of action, while there was also drama and intrigue in the penalty shootout.

Even though Ivory Coast have seen their dreams of a third Nations Cup title ended, they live with their heads held high having given their all at the Suez Stadium.