Ivory Coast progress to Olympics quarter-finals

Wednesday 28 July 2021 14:25

Ivory Coast booked their place in the Olympics football quarter-finals, after securing a 1-1 draw with Germany in their final game in Group D.

Eric Bailly played the full 90 minutes for the Elephants, while Amad was introduced from the bench just before the hour mark, as the African side held the 2016 runners-up, knocking them out of the competition in the process.

Benjamin Henrichs's own goal gave Ivory Coast a brief lead, before Eduard Loewen's equaliser, but Bailly and co held firm to prevent the Germans finding another goal, ensuring that Soualiho Haidara's men qualify in second place behind holders Brazil.

Youssouf Dao runs away in celebration after Ivory Coast open the scoring.

They will now face Spain at 09:00 BST in Saturday's quarter-final, with the match to be played at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu.

Spain, whose squad includes Euro 2020 stars Pedri, Dani Olmo and Pau Torres, topped Group C after drawing with Argentina on Wednesday.

The winners of the Ivory Coast-Spain tie will then come up against Japan or New Zealand in the semi-finals next week and this is a stage the Elephants have never made before, with their previous Olympics best being the quarter-finals at Beijing 2008.

In the other half of the draw, Brazil take on surprise qualifiers Egypt, who beat Australia 2-0 to pip Argentina to second spot in Group C, while South Korea play 2012 winners Mexico.

QUARTER-FINALS - SAT 31 JULY

Spain v Ivory Coast (09:00 BST)
Japan v New Zealand (10:00 BST)
Brazil v Egypt (11:00 BST)
South Korea v Mexico (12:00 BST)

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