The Round of 16 clash between Ghana and Tunisia took an interesting turn with a bizarre own-goal forcing the game into extra time.
Against the run of play, the Carthage Eagles took the lead after Ghana had dominated majority of the proceeding. A quick counter attacking move involving former Sunderland star Wahbi Khazri and Taha Yassine Khenissi saw the Black Stars concede the game's opener in the 73rd minute.
Late into the five minutes of injury time, Ghana was handed the opportunity to tie the game with a set-piece resulting from a foul on Thomas Partey around the Tunisians penalty area. Quite unfortunate for the North Africans, the Atletico Madrid midfielder's attempt at goal was redirected past goalkeeper Mouez Hassan by Rami Bedoui after the defender was put under pressure by Asamoah Gyan.
A moment of relief swept across the Ghanaian camp who had a genuine backheel goal by skipper Andre Ayew ruled out after the referee wrongfully called for a handball on Thomas Partey in the build-up to the goal. Watch Tunisia's last-ditch own-goal that handed the Black Stars a lifeline below:
Oh no stoppage-time own goal
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) July 8, 2019
Tunisia's Bedoui heads into his own net and Ghana are level, 1-1. The Black Stars have a last-minute lifeline and we're headed for extra time. #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/nNqW7oC1MR
Nonetheless, the turnaround was incomplete for the Black Stars of Ghana whose hard work was undone during the penalty shoot-out. Tunisia's substitute goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha achieved the hero status in the night's game by keeping out Caleb Ekuban's attempt to ensure a 5-4 victory for his side.
The win for the Carthage Eagles against Ghana broke a seven-game winless run at the Africa Cup of Nations spanning across 54 years.
The moment the #CarthageEagles soared through to the quarter-finals after a dramatic victory over Ghana!#AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/Q7jgmyJIkQ
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) July 8, 2019