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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Mohamed Salah scores Egypt's winner as Eric Bailly's dire penalty costs Ivory Coast at AFCON

Mohamed Salah held his nerve as Egypt progressed into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shoot-out win over the Ivory Coast in their round-of 16 tie.

The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football and were forced to settle the score via a nervy penalty shootout that broke Ivorian hearts.

Salah could be seen rallying his teammates and urging for calm before his side stepped up to take on their counterparts from 12-yards.

Egypt's shot-stopper Mohamed Abou Gabal, more commonly known as Gabaski, was one of his side's substitutions after first-choice 'keeper Mohammed El Shenawy was forced to withdraw from the action early with injury.

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Mohamed Salah scored Egypt's winning penalty against the Ivory Coast ((Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images))

Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe was the first player to take in a penalty in the shootout and sent Gabal the wrong way after a trademark stuttered run-up.

It was a fellow Premier League star that was the only man to miss as Manchester United's Eric Bailly saw his effort tipped onto the bar to hand the Egyptians the advantage.

The much-maligned Manchester United centre-back opted to take a nonchalant approach to his penalty with a one-step, Jorginho-style shuffle, only to see his tame effort comfortably stopped by Gabaski.

By the time Salah stepped up to take his effort, the Liverpool legend had the chance to secure victory for his side with the shootout scores level at 4-4 but Ivory Coast having taken all five of their penalties.

It came as little surprise to everyone in attendance and watching on from home that the Reds icon made no mistake, not phased by the weight of a nation on his shoulders, sending Ivory Coast keeper Badra Ali Sangaré the wrong way, sparking wild celebrations from the Egyptian players and backroom staff.

Eric Bailly was crestfallen after his penalty miss (NurPhoto/PA Images)

The result is beneficial for the likes of Arsenal and Crystal Palace, who will now see Pepe and Wilfried Zaha return to their clubs quicker than expected but the same cannot be said for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Not only has Sadio Mane's Senegal booked their place in the last eight, Salah will now join him to prolong the Reds spell without their two of their most prolific goal-scorers.

Salah's goal ensures Egypt will meet Morocco in the next round, who boast a household name of their own in Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi.

The final of the tournament is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 6 meaning if Salah's Egypt were to go all the way, the 29-year-old would miss the Reds FA Cup fourth-round trip to Cardiff.

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