AFCON2019: Bronn’s extra time own goal sends Senegal to the final

A Dylan Bronn own goal in the first half of extra time is all Senegal needed to progress to the African Cup of Nations final after seeing off Tunisia 1-0 in a match played at the Air Defense stadium in Cairo on Sunday evening.

The match was characterized by missed chances including two from the penalty spot. Ferjani Sassi missed Tunisia’s while Henri Saivet threw away Senegal’s.

Senegal started the game strongly in search of an early opener. Sadio Mane, Mbaye Niang and Krepin Diatta led the onslaught against the North Africans who opted to sit deep in the opening exchanges of the duel.

Mane forced a save from Tunisia keeper Moez Hassen while M’baye Niang missed a couple of great chances from close range as the Lions of Teranga looked to make their early dominance in the game count.

The Carthage Eagles slowly grew into the game and started attacking. They particularly looked dangerous on the break with captain Youssef Msakni looking lively on the left flank.

Against the run of play, Senegal nearly broke the deadlock through Youssouf Sabaly. The defender’s long-range curled effort came off the upright with Hassen at full-stretch.

The match slowly turned into an end to end affair with both teams attacking. Senegal however enjoyed the bigger chunk of the possession.

Mbaye Niang threw away another huge chance in the 37th minute when he shot shockingly wide from inside the penalty area. A moment later he set up Mane who went past Tunisis keeper Moez but couldn’t direct his short into an empty net shooting wide.

A first half dominated by Senegal ended in a barren draw.

Tunisia were forced into a halftime change with captain Msakni going off with a suspected injury, his place was taken by Naim Sliti.

The first real chance of the second stanza fell to Carthage Eagles’ Yassine Khenissi but his lobbed effort over an on-rushing Senegal keeper Alfred Gomis went over the bar. Moments later, Ferjani Sassi forced a huge save from Gomis with a thunderous shot from inside the penalty area.

The match slowly grew to a physical contest with challenges flying all over. Ethiopian referee Tessema Weyesa did little to curb the situation.

Kenisi threw away another huge chance in the 66th minute when Sassi put him through on goal with a beautiful back-heel. His poor first touch allowed Senegal keeper Gomis to pick the ball.

Against the run of play, Tunisia won a penalty in the 75th minute when Senegal star-man Kalidou Koulibaly blocked a shot with his arm. Sassi stepped forward to take but his poorly taken penalty was saved by the in-form Gomis.

Four minutes later, Senegal were awarded a penalty when Dylan Bronn fouled Mbaye Diane inside the area. Henri Saivet stepped forward to take but Hassen denied him with a brilliant save. None of the sides found the back on the net in regulation time and the game had to go to extra time.

The extra time was equally a balanced affair with both teams attacking. Senegal enjoyed more possession but looked vulnerable on the break where the Carthage Eagles looked to punish them from.

In the 11th minute of extra time, Senegal went up. Saivet’s delivery from the right flank was deflected home by Bronn.

Tunisia were awarded another late penalty when the ball hit Gueye Gana’s arm in the penalty area but the decision was reversed after the ref consulted the VAR.

Tunisia’s late pressure failed to pay off as Senegal held on to win.

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