Algeria beats Ivory Coast on penalties to make semis

Tunisia booked a semifinal berth against Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, after edging out a stubborn Madagascar 20 on Thursday night.

The two sides played out a drab first half that was void of any real action, as they went into the break still tied at 0-0.

The match, however, erupted to life in the second half, with the North African side taking the lead three minutes after the restart, but Khazri's goal was ruled out for offside.

They, however, took the lead seven minutes in a cruel way for Madagascar, after Ferjani Sassi's shot took a huge deflection and sneaked past Thomas Fontaine.

Things got a lot worse for Madagascar nine minutes later, as Youssef Msakni scored the second for the Eagles to put them in a comfortable position going into the last half hour.

Madagascar, who were appearing for the first time in the continental showpiece, could not mount a comeback, as the Tunisians ensured they denied them possession.

There was little action in the remaining minutes of the match, but there was enough time for Tunisia to add a third late on in the dying minutes of the match, as Naim Sliti scored in the 94th minute after a lightning counterattack.

There was no time for further action, and the referee blew his whistle with the North African side booking a semifinal date against Senegal.

Algeria blew a 1-0 lead and a penalty in regulation time before scraping past Ivory Coast in a shootout to make the semifinals at the African Cup of Nations on Thursday.

The dramatic shootout, which Algeria won 4-3, capped a pulsating quarterfinal.

Wilfried Bony had his penalty saved in the shootout by Rais Mbolhi to give Algeria the advantage. But Youcef Belaili hit the post with a spot kick that would have won it for the Algerians.

Straight after, Ivory Coast captain Serey Die had to score to send the shootout to sudden death, and he cannoned his penalty off the same post to finally seal victory for the Algerians.

Die fell back flat on his back and put his hands over his face after his miss as the Algerians sprinted to the end of the field to celebrate with Mbolhi.

Algeria led in regulation after Sofiane Feghouli's goal in the 20th minute. Striker Baghdad Bounedjah missed a penalty for Algeria soon after halftime, and Jonathan Kodjia equalized for Ivory Coast.

Bounedjah won the penalty himself when he was taken out by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo. With the chance to give Algeria a 2-0 lead, he hit his penalty high down the middle, and it clipped the crossbar and went over.

Ivory Coast took advantage. Wilfried Zaha made a surging run and found Kodjia on the right. He cut in and put his shot in the bottom corner.

Bounedjah was substituted in the second half and spent the rest of the game in tears on the bench, fearing his miss had cost Algeria a place in the last four.

It didn't, and Algeria still has the chance to win a second African title and first since 1990. Algeria will play Nigeria in Sunday's semifinals. Matchday 1

Tunisia-Angola .............................1-1 Mali-Mauritania ...........................4-1 Matchday 2

Tunisia-Mali .................................1-1 Mauritania-Angola.......................0-0 Matchday 3 Angola-Mali..................................0-1 Mauritania-Tunisia.......................0-0

Mali Tunisia Angola Mauritania

PW D 3 2 1 3 0 3 3 0 2 3 0 2

F A Pts 06 2 7 02 2 3 11 2 2 11 4 2

LMatchday 1

Cameroon-Guinea Bissau.............2-0 Ghana-Benin ................................2-2 Matchday 2 Cameroon-Ghana.........................0-0 Benin-Guinea Bissau ....................0-0 Matchday 3 Benin-Cameroon..........................0-0 Guinea Bissau-Ghana...................0-2

PW D Ghana 3 1 2 Cameroon 3 1 2 Benin 3 0 3 Guinea Bissau 3 0 1

F A Pts 04 2 5 02 0 5 02 2 3 20 4 1

L