Senegal Beat Tunisia 1-0 to Reach AFCON Final

Liverpool star Sadio Mane's Senegal edged Tunisia 1-0 in a dramatic 120-minute Africa Cup of Nations semi-final that saw two missed penalties, a canceled one and an own goal.
Senegal Beat Tunisia 1-0 to Reach AFCON Final

Liverpool star Sadio Mane's Senegal edged Tunisia 1-0 out of an Emotional 120-minute Africa Cup of Nations semi-final that saw two missed penalties, a dropped one and a claimed goal.

In the 100th minute, after a goalless draw in regular time, the 27-year-old Mane whipped in a free kick from the right wing here on Sunday evening. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen fell off his line to manage it however he fluttered it and bumped it onto his protector Dylan Bronn's head into the unfilled net.

The possess goal sent the 2004 AFCON champions Tunisia back home and kept Senegal cheerful for their first AFCON title ever.

Senegal showed a stronger performance in the initial 45 minutes yet Tunisia was better in the second half until the match was constrained into the additional time.

The second half observed two missed penalties inside eight minutes. The first was for Tunisia in the 72nd minute as Senegal protector Kaildou Koulabily blocked Ferjani Sassi's shot in the box with his arm. Sassi ventured up to take it yet Senegal defending Alfred Gomis splendidly snatched.

Gomis was named Man of the Match, as reported by the Federation of African Football (CAF), the AFCON arranging body.

"The Senegalese individuals ought to be pleased with their national group. We are only one match far from accomplishing the fantasy and winning our first continental title in the history of Senegal," Gomis told reporters following the match.

He noticed that sparing the Tunisia penalty was significant as it was a defining moment to keep up Senegal risks in the game.

The second penalty was for Senegal in the 81st minute. Newcastle midfielder Henri Saivet ventured up and sent it to one side of the spot however Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen got it right and tore it away.

In the 114th minute, Senegal defending Salif Sane took a check off his colleague Idrissa Gueye's arm and the official gave a penalty, yet he toppled it a couple of minutes after the fact after VAR conference. It resembled an incidental handball.

By this win, the Lions of Teranga are set to play the 2019 AFCON final on Friday with the winners of tonight's second semifinal match between three-time champions Nigeria and the 1990 title holders Algeria.

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