Hosts Ivory Coast stunned defending champions Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday after winning on penalties in the last 16.
A week ago, a group-stage exit seemed on the cards for the hosts but now they have qualified for the quarter-finals after winning against Senegal 5-4 on penalties following a match that finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
The Elephants entered the knockout phase with the worst record of the four best third-placed sides to qualify, after ending the group stage with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea, which was their heaviest ever home defeat.
After the defeat, French coach Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked while the efforts to bring in former boss Herve Renard on a short-term deal was also unsuccessful.
Former player Emerse Fae was appointed on an interim basis, hoping to revive the team ahead of the tie against the holders.
However, Ivory Coast had a horrible start as Senegal took the lead in the fourth minute when Habib Diallo slotted home a Sadio Mane cross from the left.
However, the Ivorians won a late penalty of their own which was converted by Franck Kessie of Saudi club Al Ahli, who was dropped to the bench at kick-off, to force extra-time.
Penalties followed after no goals in both halves of extra-time.
Senegal´s Moussa Niakhate was the only player who failed to score his penalty, seeing his effort strike the post.
Kessie then bagged the decisive kick to take Ivory Coast through to a quarters tie against Mali or Burkina Faso on Saturday.
Neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso will lock horns in the last 16 in the northern city of Korhogo on Tuesday.
"We are feeling a lot of emotion," Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller told broadcaster Canal Plus Afrique.
"The last few days have not been easy but we had to believe in ourselves."
Senegal have been eliminated after being the only team to win all three games during the group stage. Their exit also means that no reigning champion has made it beyond the first knockout round of a Cup of Nations since Egypt won a third consecutive title in 2010.
