Defending champions Senegal secured top spot in Group C at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Guinea 2-0 in an ill-tempered encounter.
Abdoulaye Seck headed the Teranga Lions in front from a free-kick and Iliman Ndiaye sealed victory with a fine low finish in the final minute.
Guinea knew they would go through before kick-off and finished third after Cameroon beat The Gambia 3-2.
Senegal progress from the group stage as the only side with a 100% record.
Aliou Cisse’s side will stay in Yamoussoukro and face a third-placed side from Group A or F in the last 16 on Monday, while Guinea will play Group A winners Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Abidjan.
The Syli National finished third behind Cameroon on goals scored, with their four-point tally meaning four-time continental champions Ghana were eliminated from the finals after the Black Stars ended third in Group B on two points.
Results on Monday meant Guinea were guaranteed to go through as one of four best third-placed sides at the very least, and boss Kaba Diawara made seven changes to rest players for the knockout stages.
Senegal fielded a strong XI and both sides were fired up for this West African derby, but there was not a single shot on target in the first half as the teams struggled to create openings.
An early challenge from midfielder Nampalys Mendy on Guinea’s Ilaix Moriba sparked an argument between players, and the first real chance of the game came when a thunderous shot from Mendy was diverted over the bar off the head off Mohamed Ali Camara.
Guinea employed a physical approach but could not provide service to star striker Serhou Guirassy, who was making his first appearance at the tournament following injury and could not get the better of Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
The holders appealed for a penalty on the stroke of half-time as star forward Sadio Mane fell to the ground following a duel with Saidou Sow, but referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana waved play on.
The Burundian official did have work to do in first-half injury time when Ismail Jakobs sparked a mass confrontation which involved both sets of substitutes benches after the Senegal left-back shoved Guinea captain Naby Keita to the ground.
Senegal make experience count
Mane missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring early in the second half with the goal gaping.
The 31-year-old did the hard work by timing his run well and rounding Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone, but ultimately failed to direct his shot on target as he skewed wide at the near post.
Mane’s miss did affect his side too badly though as Senegal did what they needed to do to win.
Seck headed powerfully into the net following a pinpoint free-kick delivery from Krepin Diatta – with the 61st-minute goal coming from the first shot on target in the game.
Former Sheffield United forward Ndiaye then sealed the win when he received a well-weighted pass from Mane before slotting the ball across goal and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
There was still time for Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy to make a fine diving save from Morgan Guilavogui’s acrobatic volley, which was Guinea’s best chance of the game.
It was not the most convincing performance from Cisse’s side but, after beating The Gambia and Cameroon convincingly in their first two group games, they dealt effectively with a physical Guinea side.
Senegal remain on track to become the first side to retain the Afcon trophy since Egypt won their third in a row in 2010, while Guinea will aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.
Line-ups
Guinea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 22Koné
- 2ContéBooked at 45minsSubstituted forDiakitéat 64′minutes
- 4Sow
- 13Camara
- 3Sylla
- 10MoribaSubstituted forCisséat 73′minutes
- 6Diawara
- 18Camara
- 8KeïtaSubstituted forGuilavoguiat 63′minutes
- 25ContéBooked at 22minsSubstituted forCisséat 78′minutes
- 9GuirassySubstituted forBayoat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Keita
- 5Diakhaby
- 7Guilavogui
- 11Bayo
- 12Diakité
- 14Cissé
- 15Cissé
- 16Camara
- 20Konaté
- 21Sylla
- 24Kanté
Senegal
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 16Mendy
- 15DiattaBooked at 66mins
- 4Seck
- 3Koulibaly
- 14JakobsBooked at 45minsSubstituted forBallo-Touréat 88′minutes
- 26GueyeSubstituted forKouyatéat 71′minutes
- 18SarrSubstituted forNdiayeat 72′minutes
- 17SarrSubstituted forGueyeat 71′minutes
- 6Mendy
- 10Mané
- 20DialloSubstituted forJacksonat 88′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Gomis
- 2Mendy
- 5Gueye
- 7Jackson
- 8Kouyaté
- 9Dieng
- 11Ciss
- 12Ballo-Touré
- 13Ndiaye
- 23Diaw
- 25Camara
- 27N’Diaye
- Referee:
- Pacifique Ndabihawenimana
Live Text
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Match ends, Guinea 0, Senegal 2.
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Second Half ends, Guinea 0, Senegal 2.
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Seydouba Cissé (Guinea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nampalys Mendy (Senegal).
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Foul by Aguibou Camara (Guinea).
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Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Saïdou Sow (Guinea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Senegal).
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Attempt saved. Morgan Guilavogui (Guinea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Issiaga Sylla with a cross.
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Foul by Idrissa Gueye (Senegal).
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Karim Cissé (Guinea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Goal! Guinea 0, Senegal 2. Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sadio Mané following a fast break.
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Substitution, Senegal. Nicolas Jackson replaces Habib Diallo.
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Substitution, Senegal. Fodé Ballo-Touré replaces Ismail Jakobs.
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Offside, Senegal. Sadio Mané is caught offside.
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Krépin Diatta (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Aguibou Camara (Guinea).
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Attempt missed. Aguibou Camara (Guinea) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Morgan Guilavogui following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Ismail Jakobs (Senegal).
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Ibrahim Diakité (Guinea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.