AFCON 2023: Ryan Mendes penalty sends Cape Verde past Mauritania and into the quarter-finals

Cape Verde are through to the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023. The Blue Sharks got past Mauritania thanks in large part to a Ryan Mendes penalty in the closing minutes of normal time. The round of 16 tie took a while to come to life. The first half was thoroughly disjointed. But the Blue Sharks still looked the more dangerous side in front of goal, without being clinical enough to open the scoring. The Mourabitounes brought plenty of intensity, winning 37 duels, but struggled to trouble the Cape Verdeans. Mauritania also lost defender Omare Gassama, who went off injured.

In the second half, the two sides traded blows but were still wasteful with their finishing. Cape Verde did create the better chances, though. Late on, the Blue Sharks piled the pressure on in the Mauritanian box. Cabral drifted out in front of the area and unleashed a big shot, but Mourabitounes goalkeeper Babacar Niasse made a huge save (77th). From a corner, Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes sent a header towards the near post that Niasse again kept out. Their persistence paid off when the Blue Sharks were awarded a penalty. Elwely headed the ball back to Niasse, who committed a foul in the box. Every inch the captain, Mendes put the ball into the net and sent his side into the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023.

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