An extra-time goal from Hameur Bouazza gave Algeria a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast and a place in the African Cup of Nations semi final for the first time in 20 years. Karim Matmour's goal shortly before halftime cancelled out Salomon Kalou's early opener for Ivory Coast. The Elephants looked to have secured a last-four berth when a bullet from Abdel Kader Keita, who was introduced in the second half instead of Kalou, found the top corner of the net one minute from time. However, a header from central defender Madjid Bougherra in stoppage time cut short their celebrations and forced an extra-time. Bouazza scored the decisive goal few minutes after he stepped onto the pitch to eliminate 2006 finalists and 2008 semi-finalists Ivory Coast. Algeria, who will meet the winners of Monday's quarter-final between defending champions Egypt and Cameroon, have not reached the semi final since winning their sole Nations Cup title in 1990. Ivory Coast and Algeria will play in this year's World Cup finals in South Africa. Pulsating Clash Ivory Coast needed four minutes to open the scoring when a Yaya Toure shot ricocheted off the back of Bougherra and fell to the unmarked Kalou, whose low shot beat Fawzi Chaouchi at the near post.
Didier Drogba saw a penalty claim waved away by the referee shortly afterwards when Rafik Halliche seemingly tripped him in the area. Algeria then found their rhythm after a slow start, with the moves of attacking midfielders Karim Ziani, Mourad Meghni and Matmour causing the Ivorians all sorts of problems. They deservedly leveled the score five minutes before the break when Matmour gathered a long ball on the edge of the area, eluded a challenge from the below-par Cheik Tiote and fired a powerful drive which went in off the post. Algeria were the livelier side in the second half as they exposed Ivory Coast's shaky defense on several occasions. Matmour squandered two clear-cut opportunities, volleying wide from inside the area before being denied one-on-one by keeper Boubacar Barry in quick succession. Ivory Coast restored their advantage against the run of play with one minute remaining when Keita unleashed a thunderous long-range shot which left Chaouchi with no chance. They were preparing for celebrations when Bougherra was picked out unmarked by a Nadir Belhadj cross to power a downward header past Barry in the additional time and force an extra time. Bouazza, who replaced Meghni, capitalized on a recurring defensive lapse to head home at the far post three minutes into the first half of extra time. Ivory Coast piled on pressure to restore parity but couldn't find the breakthrough, although they had a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside through Kolo Toure in the latter stages.
