Match ends, Congo DR 1, Côte d'Ivoire 3.
DR CongoDR Congo1Ivory CoastIvory Coast3
Ivory Coast reached their third Africa Cup of Nations final in nine years after proving too strong for DR Congo.
Yaya Toure put them ahead with a ferocious 20-yard shot but soon after Dieumerci Mbokani levelled with a penalty after Eric Bailly handled.
Gervinho had a header cleared off the line before he made it 2-1 when he curled in to finish off a breakaway.
The Ivorians made sure of victory when Wilfried Kanon kneed home after Serge Aurier's header had been saved.
Gervinho, outstanding throughout, had a good chance to add further gloss to the scoreline late on, but his effort was saved by the busy Robert Kidiaba.
In their quarter-final with Congo, the Leopards had clawed their way back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. But on Wednesday, they were soundly beaten by an Ivory Coast side who utilised the pace of Gervinho to superb effect and looked determined to make up for recent failures in the competition.
Beaten finalists in 2006 and in 2012, Ivory Coast's so-called 'golden generation' have been unable to add to their country's sole Cup of Nations trophy in 1992.
But despite the retirement of talisman and striker Didier Drogba, this side has started to give credence to coach Herve Renard's claim it contains the "perfect" blend of experience and youth.
After surviving an early scare when Jeremy Bokila tested the keeper with a fierce shot, The Elephants assumed control of the match. And Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure demonstrated their intent with a thunderous effort from the edge of the box to put them 1-0 up.
They were briefly pegged back when Bailly mistimed his jump to head the ball and handled instead, conceding a penalty which Mbokani confidently scored from a three-step run-up.
But Gervinho was to prove too hot for DR Congo to handle - he was denied by Gabriel Zakuani's superb headed clearance off the line via the bar, but a minute later finished emphatically after being set up by Wilfried Bony at the end of a three-on-two counter-attack.
After the break Yannick Bolasie came close for DR Congo after a superb run and shot, but there was not enough of that cutting edge from the Crystal Palace man and his team-mates.
And each time Ivory Coast came forward, they looked capable of scoring.
When more great work from Gervinho won his side a corner, the set-piece was met by a powerful header from Aurier, which keeper Kidiaba could only parry to Kanon, who converted.
Ex-Arsenal winger Gervinho almost grabbed his second of the game with two minutes left, but Kidiaba rushed out to block the Ivorian's dinked shot.
Next up for Ivory Coast will be either hosts Equatorial Guinea or Ghana, who meet in Thursday's semi-final.
Line-ups
DR Congo
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Muteba
- 2Issama Mpeko
- 15Kimwaki
- 14Zakuani
- 3KasusulaBooked at 67mins
- 6MakiadiSubstituted forMubeleat 79'minutes
- 22Mbemba Mangulu
- 18Mabwati GerardSubstituted forKebanoat 69'minutes
- 19Bokila
- 11Bolasie
- 9MbokaniSubstituted forKabanangaat 61'minutesBooked at 71mins
Substitutes
- 4Oualembo
- 5Munganga
- 7Mulumbu
- 8Kage
- 10Kebano
- 12Mabele
- 13Kabananga
- 16Kudimbana
- 17Mongongu
- 20Mabidi
- 21Mubele
- 23Mandanda
Ivory Coast
Formation 3-4-3
- 16Gbohouo
- 21Bailly
- 4K Touré
- 22KanonBooked at 26mins
- 17AurierBooked at 76mins
- 19Y TouréBooked at 28mins
- 20Gonzaroua DieBooked at 70mins
- 5TiénéSubstituted forDiarrassoubaat 72'minutes
- 15GradelSubstituted forKalouat 62'minutes
- 12BonySubstituted forTraoréat 90+2'minutes
- 10Kouassi
Substitutes
- 1Barry
- 2Diarrassouba
- 3Assalé
- 6Doukoure
- 7Doumbia
- 8Kalou
- 11Gadji-Celi Carmel Junior
- 13Akpa-Akpro
- 14Diomande
- 18Traoré
- 23Mandé
- Referee:
- Néant Alioum
Match Stats
Home TeamDR CongoAway TeamIvory Coast
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away7
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home24
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Congo DR 1, Côte d'Ivoire 3.
Post update
Foul by Jeremy Bokila (Congo DR).
Post update
Eric Bailly (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Côte d'Ivoire. Lacina Traoré replaces Wilfried Bony.
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Attempt blocked. Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Zakuani.
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Attempt missed. Jean Kasusula (Congo DR) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.
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Neeskens Kebano (Congo DR) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Wilfried Kanon (Côte d'Ivoire).
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Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Sylvain Gbohouo.
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Attempt saved. Gervinho (Côte d'Ivoire) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Salomon Kalou.
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Issama Mpeko (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Salomon Kalou (Côte d'Ivoire).
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Attempt missed. Wilfried Kanon (Côte d'Ivoire) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
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Attempt blocked. Salomon Kalou (Côte d'Ivoire) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Wilfried Bony.
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Foul by Gabriel Zakuani (Congo DR).
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Wilfried Bony (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR).
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Eric Bailly (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
