Evening Standard
·29 January 2024
Evening Standard
·29 January 2024
Ryan Mendes' late penalty gave Cape Verde a dramatic 1-0 win over Mauritania and booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Blue Sharks went into the last-16 clash as favourites, having gone unbeaten on their way to the knockout stages as they topped Group B ahead of Egypt and Ghana. Mauritania, meanwhile, had edged through after stunning Algeria in their final group-stage game, for what was their first ever win at the tournament.
It was a tight affair for much of this match, with Mauritania competing in their first AFCON knockout game, and for 87 minutes it looked as though extra-time would be required to split them.
One mistake was all it took though, as Yassin El Welly tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper and instead nodded it perfectly into the path of Gilson Benchimol. The Cape Verde forward went round Babacar Niasse and was brought down, the referee wasting no time in pointing to the spot. Captain Mendes stepped up and lashed his penalty straight down the middle, before Cape Verde survived ten minutes of stoppage-time to set up a quarter-final against either Morocco or South Africa.
7 days ago
Cape Verde have done it!
They are through to the quarter-finals, Ryan Mendes' penalty is enough for victory.
Mauritania were so impressive for so long, but one mistake was all it took.
AFP via Getty Images
7 days ago
90+9 mins: Gilson standing on the halfway line, waiting for a Cape Verde counter.
It comes to him out wide, but he makes a mess of controlling it.
7 days ago
90+6 mins: Well then. Free-kick in a brilliant position for Mauritania.
Whipped well wide, bounces off the board and back onto the net, which fools most people inside the ground. Celebrations swiftly cut short though.