Ivory Coast vs DR Congo 1-0: CAF AFCON 2023 semifinal – as it happened

That’s it from a dramatic day of semifinal action across two continental competitions.

Qatar reached the final of the Asian Cup by defeating Iran and face Jordan, who overcame South Korea on Tuesday

Nigeria thought they had their match wrapped up in stoppage time, but South Africa and VAR had other ideas.

The Super Eagles progressed on penalties and face Ivory Coast – the winner of the game on this live page.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride at both tournaments, and it’s sure to be the same again in the two finals.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage throughout the day – please do join us for the finals if you can.

There’s live cricket on Thursday morning as Pakistan and Australia battle it out for a place in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final against India.

For now though, from me, Kevin Hand, and all the team, it’s goodbye.

𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 = 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘. ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/2IG7gcA4FA

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗘. 😮‍💨

🇳🇬 Nigeria 🆚 Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮

We’re finally at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 final stop! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dk3AtUoXh2

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024

The Ivory Coast midfield dominated the match and kept DR Congo at bay all match as they struggled to even create chances. No surprise then that it was an Elephants’ midfielder to take the player of the match award…

🇨🇮 Franck Kessie 🇨🇮

Such a special performance makes him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match! 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #CIVRDC | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/gWKQfVIA6v

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024

From a group stage that saw them lose two games and their coach, Ivory Coast are now into the final and it promises to be a finale befitting of a fantastic AFCON.

Defeated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in the final group-stage match was humiliating for the hosts.

They also lost to Nigeria – the team they will now face in the finals.

Since then, however, Ivory Coast shocked the defending champions, Senegal, in the round of 16 and are now on a run that seems to be the stuff of fairytales after what was a horror show at the start of the tournament.

Their run to the semifinal was fantastic and promised even more, but on the day they struggled to keep pace with the hosts.

The host nation reach the final.

Full-time: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

The sub rounds the keeper but takes the ball wide so lobs a cross for a teammate but the defence head for a corner.

90+4 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

It was ambitious, to say the least, as the ball dropped behind the striker and he hooked it over his shoulder on the turn. It was over the ball as well, though.

90+2 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Can DR Congo find a way through? They have to pump the ball and bodies forward now.

90+1 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Haller and Gradel come off for Krasso and Boga.

89 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Ivory Coast are holding firm and DR Congo are struggling to lay a glove on the hosts.

87 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Amani receives the ball from Haller and surges towards the edge of the box but drags his shot wide.

84 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Adingra, who has been so bright, comes off for Bamba.

80 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

The ball drops to the winger on the edge of the box, and he swings a volley at goal but it bounces wide.

The first sight of a goal in a while for DR Congo.

78 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

DR Congo need to regroup. It’s been all Ivory Coast for some time in this match now.

One last team talk to change the direction of play.

The stadium announcer declares an attendance of 51,020.

74 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

A mix up at the back allows Haller through and he chips the keeper but the ball bounces wide.

71 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Banza, Tshibola and Mayele come on for Wissa, Bakambu and Pickel.

69 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

A corner from the left and Haller glances a header onto the roof of the net.

68 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

It wasn’t how Haller intended it, but the ball is in the net.

The bounce couldn’t have been crueller on the keeper as it looped over him and dropped under the bar at the far post.

Adringra with the cross again.

66 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo

Haller volleys into the ground and the ball bounces over the keeper and into the net.

65 minutes: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo