Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed his penalty in the shoot-out as the Democratic Republic of the Congo claimed an epic 8-7 victory after a tense 1-1 draw in their African Cup of Nations round of 16 clash in San Peter on Sunday.
Abou Gabal hit the crossbar with his shot and his rival Lionel Mpasi scored. Seven-time winners Egypt fell at the Laurent Pokou stadium, sparking scenes of jubilation for the Congolese, who will now play Guinea in the quarter-finals in Abidjan on Friday.
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Meschack Elia gave the Democratic Republic of the Congo the lead in the match when he headed almost on the goal line, but the lead lasted nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time .
Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Hamdy received a red card in extra time, after which The Pharaohs, without their injured talisman Mohamed Salah, stopped attacking and held out until the match went to a penalty shootout.
The last time the DRC beat Egypt in a Nations Cup clash was in the semi-finals 50 years ago, when they lifted the trophy.
It was the fourth consecutive draw for both teams in Ivory Coast this year, while for Egypt it was the sixth consecutive draw since the last tournament in Cameroon and a fifth consecutive overtime in knockout matches.
That lack of a killer touch came back to haunt them as they failed to finish the game within 90 minutes, and once Hamdy received his marching orders it was always going to be a battle in the sweltering San Pedro heat.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo took the lead in the 37th minute, when Elia headed Yoane Wissa's deflected cross from the left over the line. The goal came from a quick kick that Egypt felt should have been theirs and were therefore slow to react when the Congolese resumed play.
But Egypt equalized in first-half stoppage time when Congolese defender Dylan Batubinsika hit Ahmed Hegazi's face with an outstretched arm during an aerial double in the penalty area, and a penalty kick was awarded after a VAR review. .
In Salah's absence, Abou Gabal stepped up to confidently convert and score his fourth goal of the tournament, although he would later fail in the penalty shootout.
Abou Gabal became the first Egyptian player to score in his first four games in a Nations Cup final, and the third to score in four games in total after Ali Abo Gresha (1974) and Gedo (2010).
DR Congo striker Cedric Bakambu deflected a cross off the post when well placed at the start of the second half, and Chancel Mbemba headed in moments later as the match went into extra time and, eventually, the shots from the point.
