Presented as a final before the letter, the round of 16 between Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt kept all its promises.
Not in terms of goals (0-0), but in the intensity and suspense offered.
Victorious on penalties (5-4), Egypt will meet Morocco on Sunday (5 p.m.) at the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé, for the main poster of the quarter-finals.
What you must remember
The Egyptians literally asphyxiate the Elephants who react, however, by Haller.
The latter places a header on a corner of Pépé, which forces El-Shenawy to a delicate stop (70th).
It must be said that with the heat (33° at kick-off) and a humidity rate of more than 60%, the two teams suffered physically on the difficult pitch of the Japoma stadium in Douala.
The Egyptian goalkeeper again pulls out all the stops by making a double save in front of Zaha and Haller (85th).
An action not without consequence since El-Shenawy is injured and is replaced by Gabaski.
The pleasure continues beyond 90 minutes with an extra half hour of play. Egypt proves dangerous by Trezeguet (91st) before Côte d'Ivoire responds by Sangaré on a curling shot deflected by Gabaski (103rd ).
The extension does not change the case and everything is played during the penalty shootout.
In this little game, Egypt is the most skilful (5-4).
Player: Mohamed Gabaski
The player from Zamalek, the big club from Cairo, managed the stop he needed during the third shot on goal from Ivory Coast by Éric Bailly.
Previously, the 32-year-old came on in the 85th minute after starting goalkeeper El-Shenawy was injured.
He was quickly highlighted with an impeccable save on a strike from Sangaré (103rd).
The number: 10
In 11 confrontations in the final phase of the CAN, Egypt won its 10th duel (including the 3rd in a penalty shootout).
The only defeat of the Pharaohs against the Elephants dates back to 1990. Mohamed Salah's team is aiming for an 8th African championship title after three consecutive coronations (2006, 2008, 2010).