Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday qualified for the knockout of the Tokyo 2020 football competition after a 1-1 draw against Germany.
The Rio 2016 Silver medalists, Germany, have been eliminated from the men’s football competition after failing to win a single match in Group D.
The Germans needed a win to keep their quarter-final hopes alive after suffering two straight defeats to defending champions, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, who ended the group third.
The Ivorians, on the other hand, had four points from their first two matches after beginning the campaign with a 2-1 win over the Arabians followed by a goalless draw against Brazil.
After a goalless 45 minutes between Germany and the Ivorians, with the German’s showing more threats in the attack after coming close to striking the woodwork in the first half, the Africans took the lead in the second half.
A 67th minute own goal by Benjamin Henrichs gave Ivory Coast the lead and leg in the knockout, leaving the Germans needing a miracle to book a place in the next round.
Substitute Edward Lowen restored Germany’s hopes when he pulled one back through a well-taken freekick in the 73rd minute but it wasn’t enough to secure a place in the quarters as the game ended 1-1.
