🏆 Ivory Coast end Senegal's AFCON defence; Cape Verde reach quarter final | OneFootball

The penultimate round of Africa Cup of Nations last-16 ties concluded on Monday.

Here’s what went down.

Senegal’s defence ended on penalties

Scorers: Diallo 4′; Kessié (PEN) 85′

Senegal’s AFCON defence ended in heart-breaking fashion as they bowed out on penalties to Ivory Coast.

Habib Diallo handed the reigning holders an early lead after chesting down Sadio Mané’s cross and firing a shot on the turn past Yahia Fofana.

The tournament hosts’ best chance of the game from open play fell to Franck Kessié, who forced a remarkable double save from Édouard Mendy.

But they were handed a lifeline after Nicolas Pépé was taken out by Mendy in the final five minutes, allowing Kessié to convert from the penalty spot.

Into extra time Serge Aurier flashed a long-range attempt narrowly wide of Mendy’s far post as Senegal continued to find themselves under pressure.

Mané offered a response for the Lions of Teranga as he met Krépin Diatta’s cross to the far post but was thwarted by a good stop by Fofana.

In the shootout, Moussa Niakhaté blinked first by crashing his effort against the post before Kessié clinched the Elephants’ spot in the quarter finals.

Cape Verde reach first quarter final in 11 years

Scorers: Mendes (PEN) 88′

Cape Verde booked their place in the last eight courtesy of a late victory over Mauritania.

Both teams largely cancelled each other out at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny with neither side able to force a breakthrough.

But the clash was finally settled just two minutes from the end of normal time when Gilson Varela was brought down by Babacar Niasse in the penalty area.

Ryan Mendes stepped up confidently to wrongfoot Niasse from the spot and send the Blue Sharks into their first AFCON quarter-final appearance since 2013.