DR Congo 1-3 Ivory Coast

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.

Kanon improvised brilliantly to score Ivory Cast's third goal with his knee

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.

Gervinho was the standout performer and looks set to have a big influence on the final

Mbokani is thrilled after scoring the equaliser but his joy was to be short-lived

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

DR Congo

• 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

• 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

Posted at

Match ends, Congo DR 1, Côte d'Ivoire 3.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+4'

Second Half ends, Congo DR 1, Côte d'Ivoire 3.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by Jeremy Bokila (Congo DR).

Posted at 90'+2'

Eric Bailly (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Posted at 90'+2'

Substitution, Côte d'Ivoire. Lacina Traoré replaces Wilfried Bony.

Posted at 90'+1'

Attempt blocked. Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Zakuani.

Posted at 90'

Attempt missed. Jean Kasusula (Congo DR) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.

Posted at 89'

Neeskens Kebano (Congo DR) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 89'

Foul by Wilfried Kanon (Côte d'Ivoire).

Posted at 88'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Sylvain Gbohouo.

Posted at 88'

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.

Posted at 87'

Issama Mpeko (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 87'

Foul by Salomon Kalou (Côte d'Ivoire).

Posted at 87'

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.

Posted at 86'

Attempt blocked. Salomon Kalou (Côte d'Ivoire) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Wilfried Bony.

Posted at 85'

Foul by Gabriel Zakuani (Congo DR).

Posted at 85'

Wilfried Bony (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 85'

Foul by Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR).

Posted at 85'

Eric Bailly (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 84'

Attempt blocked. Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Posted at 81'

Attempt missed. Jean Kasusula (Congo DR) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.

Posted at 81'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Sylvain Gbohouo.

Posted at 81'

Attempt saved. Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Neeskens Kebano with a cross.

Posted at 80'

Corner, Congo DR. Conceded by Serge Aurier.

Posted at 80'

Attempt saved. Firmin Ndombe Mubele (Congo DR) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jeremy Bokila with a headed pass.

Posted at 79'

Joël Kimwaki (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 79'

Foul by Wilfried Bony (Côte d'Ivoire).

Substitution

Posted at 79'

Substitution, Congo DR. Firmin Ndombe Mubele replaces Cedrick Makiadi.

Posted at 78'

Attempt saved. Neeskens Kebano (Congo DR) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cedrick Makiadi.

Posted at 77'

Attempt missed. Jeremy Bokila (Congo DR) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Yannick Bolasie.

Booking

Posted at 76'

Serge Aurier (Côte d'Ivoire) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 75'

Foul by Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (Congo DR).

Posted at 75'

Yaya Touré (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 73'

Jeremy Bokila (Congo DR) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 73'

Foul by Wilfried Kanon (Côte d'Ivoire).

Substitution

Posted at 72'

Substitution, Côte d'Ivoire. Ousmane Viera replaces Siaka Tiéné.

Booking

Posted at 71'

Junior Kabananga (Congo DR) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.

Posted at 71'

Hand ball by Junior Kabananga (Congo DR).

Booking

Posted at 70'

Serey Die (Côte d'Ivoire) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 70'

Neeskens Kebano (Congo DR) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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