In Yamoussoukro, the match at the top of these round of 16 of CAN 2024 keeps all its promises.
The Senegalese title holders launched hostilities with a magnificent goal from Habib Diallo (1-0, 4th), against Ivory Coast, the organizing country and miraculously qualified after a failed group stage.
The Lions of Teranga, favorites, started the match with an overflow from their star Sadio Mané, who crossed a ball from the baseline towards Habib Diallo.
The former Strasbourg player, who now plays for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, took the ball off his chest to place a powerful and unstoppable half-volley under the bar of Yaya Fofana.
[⚽️ GOAL VIDEO] 🏆 #beINCAN2023 #SENCIV
💥 Senegal showers Ivory Coast from the start!
✊ A fantastic cross from Sadio Mané, and a devastating sequence from Habib Diallo!
pic.twitter.com/rqsvWG3WYZ
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) January 29, 2024
Barely five minutes after this blow which left the Ivorians stunned and once again plunged into doubt, another turning point in the match occurred.
Sadio Mané, once again, has poor control over his defensive gesture.
The attacker makes a sliding tackle, with his feet off the ground, on the leg of Ibrahim Sangaré.
The Ivorian midfielder, who remained on the ground, came out on a stretcher for a while before returning to his place.
Mané immediately receives a yellow card.
But the former Liverpool striker is doing well: he could just as easily have received a red.
The referee didn't bother to call VAR.
Fortunately for the Senegalese, who kept their master playing on the field.
They then controlled the first period of this round of 16.