The Elephants of Ivory Coast have booked their place in the quarterfinals of the men’s football tournament at the 2020 Olympic Games following a draw against Germany in Rifu, Japan, on Wednesday.
With five points from three matches, the Ivorian team progressed from Group D, which also included Brazil (1-1) and Saudi Arabia (2-1).
Tagged as favourites ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, Germany suffered an own-goal opener by the hour mark from Benjamin Henrichs, but fought back to level the score six minutes later.
However, AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié and Co. withstood the Germans until the final whistle to hand Ivory Coast a first-time qualification to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
On Saturday, they will meet Spain, who topped Group C with five points after a 1-1 draw with Argentina in the group’s final match day.
Africa now has two representatives in the quarterfinals after Egypt edged Australia 2-0 to finished second in Group C. South Africa have bowed out of the competition having lost all three matches in Group A.
