Equatorial Guinea Crash Senegal Out Of 2012 Afcon

Pre-tournament favourites Senegal have crashed out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after a surprising 2-1 defeat to co-hosts Equatorial Guinea. Despite creating plenty of chances throughout the game, the Teranga Lions struggled to find the back of the net, and were punished by a second-half goal by Iban Iyanga. Substitute Moussa Sow netted an equaliser moments before injury time, but David Alvarez popped up with the winner for Equatorial Guinea, who have progressed to the quarter-finals. Senegal went all guns blazing right from the start, pressuring the opposition all over the pitch. The sheer pace and skill of winger Issiar Dia was causing plenty of trouble for Equatorial Guinea, who were struggling to contain the Teranga Lions. Laurence Doe made a couple of crucial interventions at the back early on for the Nzalang Nacional as he first out-jumped Demba Ba to head away a dangerous cross in the 5th minute, and shortly after superbly dispossessed Dia, who was preparing to pull the trigger from 10 yards out. Moments later Dame Ndoye went close to opening the scoring as he capped off a fine run with a powerful strike, which was deflected out for a corner on the left. Papiss Demba Cisse was next to threaten Danilo's goal as in the 15th minute he beautifully controlled a cross on his chest, and tried to lob the goalkeeper, but his finish went over the bar. Senegal were rapidly tightening the grip, and created yet another chance shortly after as a cross from Dia found Ba completely free inside the box, but the striker could only strike wide from 11 yards out. Guirane Ndaw had a pop from long range at the half-way mark, but Danilo was well positioned and managed to deal with the dangerous shot. The goalkeeper was at the centre of action just before half-time for all the wrong reasons as he picked up a back pass, conceding a free kick inside the penalty area. Senegal, however, failed to take advantage of his mistake as Demba Ba sent a rather timid shot into the wall, wasting one of the best chances for the Teranga Lions in the first half. Equatorial Guinea improved significantly after the break, and created a very good chance in the 57th minute through Javier Balboa, who delivered a solid pass from the right wing for Thierry Fidjeu, but Souleymane Diawara was first to the ball. Moments later, however, the Nzalang Nacional's efforts were rewarded as a cross by David Alvarez was headed into the net by Iyanga from inside the box to put Senegal on the brink of elimination. The Teranga Lions threw everything forward in the remaining minutes of the game, and Cisse was guilty of missing a great chance in the 71st minute, when he was released near the penalty spot, but chose to pass back instead of shoot from just eight yards. Senegal gave it all until the final whistle, but finally found the goal they deserved in the 89th minute through substitute Sow, who took advantage of a shake-up in Equatorial Guinea's defence to poke home with an acrobatic finish. Alvarez, however, had the final say in matters as he netted with a thunderous long-range strike in injury time to seal the victory for the co-hosts of the tournament. Laurence Doe was sent off moments later, but it mattered little as Equatorial Guinea progressed to the next round.