Ryan Mendes scored a late penalty to help Cape Verde to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a 1-0 win over Mauritania on Monday.
Mendes scored from the spot in the 88th minute after Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse brought down substitute Gilson Benchimol, who had moved through on goal after a defensive mistake.
It was Mauritania’s first AFCON knockout-stage match in history. The Lions of Chinguetti beat Algeria 1-0 last week for their first-ever win on their third appearance in the tournament.
Cape Verde – who, surprisingly, won a group that included heavyweights Ghana and Egypt – made the better start, but failed to really trouble Niasse.
Roberto ’Pico’ Lopes marshalled the Blue Sharks’ back four and produced an important tackle to stop Sidi Bouna Amar with Mauritania’s best chance of the first half three minutes before the break.
Souleymane Anne had an even better chance midway through the second half, but he was unable to make the most of Sidi Amar’s through ball.
Cape Verde finished strongly as the Mauritanians tired from their exertions. Ibrahima Keita was their second player stretchered off in the 80th minute after Omar Gassama had been in the first half.
The Blue Sharks – who also reached the quarter-finals in 2013 – will next play host Ivory Coast or defending champions Senegal, who met later in Yamoussoukro.
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