Benin’s defender Moise Adilehou celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
Morocco vs Benin: Squirrels go nuts, penalty misses and the red card – as it happened
Benin stunned Africa Cup of Nations title contenders Morocco on penalties to reach the quarter-finals for the first time after a 1-1 draw in Cairo on Friday..
Benin’s defender Moise Adilehou celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
It was a match that included a bizarre red card. That came on the back of a second yellow – the first was given for a player wearing his wedding ring on the field of play.
But Benin held their nerve and proved that squirrels are strong indeed.
Moise Adilehou put Benin ahead early in the second half before Youssef En-Nesyri equalised, but Hakim Ziyech blew the chance to seal victory for Morocco by striking the post with a 96th-minute penalty.
Sofiane Boufal and En-Nesyri both missed in the shootout as Benin, who reached the last 16 on the back of three draws, triumphed 4-1 on spot-kicks.
Benin opening goal vs Morocco
Morocco equaliser and penalty miss
Morocco vs Benin – as it happened
Additional reporting by AFP.
