30/04 - 20:00
30/04 - 20:00
01/05 - 19:00
30/04 - 20:00
30/04 - 20:00
01/05 - 19:00
Hat-trick hero Emilio Nsue inspired Equatorial Guinea to victory over Guinea-Bissau.
The former Middlesbrough and Birmingham City forward opened the scoring for Nzalang Nacional in the 21st minute when he easily evaded the tackle of Sori Mané to latch on to Pablo Ganet's ball and finish despite the efforts of goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco.
But Guinea-Bissau were level in the 37th minute through an own goal. The lively Mauro Rodrigues put in a low ball from the right that Esteban Orozco accidentally diverted into his net. Orozco had to do something though as Franculino Djú was just behind him and ready to tap into an empty net.
The Djurtus then thought they had the best chance of completing a turnaround when they were awarded a penalty five minutes before the end of the first half.
Saúl Coco was judged to have fouled Djú but VAR intervened with the referee then reversing his decision. Replays showed that Coco looked favourite to get to the ball before it was Djú himself who initiated the contact.
That decision will be a particular source of frustration for Guinea-Bissau considering how the second half went.
Equatorial Guinea were clinical with Josete Miranda firing his team into the lead just a few minutes after the restart.
It was 3-1 not long after that. A cross from the left by Basilio Owono wasn't dealt with by the Guinea-Bissau defence or goalkeeper leaving Nsue free at the far post to find an empty net.
The game was essentially over in the 64th minute when Nsue completed his hat-trick. The 34-year-old found space behind the Guinea-Bissau defence, went around Djoco, and slotted the ball into the net.
The assistant referee initially ruled the goal out as offside but VAR intervened with the goal being awarded followed by an impressive team celebration led by Ganet.
Guinea-Bissau did pull one back but it was far too late. Substitute Zé Turbo finishing after a chipped ball into his path. Once again the goal was initially ruled out for offside but VAR quickly intervened to award the goal.
That 4-2 result puts Equatorial Guinea top of Group A before hosts Ivory Coast take on Nigeria later today. Guinea-Bissau meanwhile stay bottom having lost both their games.
⌚ FULL-TIME!
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024
A goal-fest in Equatorial Guinea's big win over Guinea-Bissau 🙌#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #EQGGNB pic.twitter.com/lNgqApGuRH
4-2 | ||
Emilio Nsue 21' 51' 61' Esteban Orozco 37' (o.g.) Josete Miranda 46' | Zé Turbo 90' |
