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Tunisia led 1-0 in stoppage time at the end of the match but Equatorial Guinea were then awarded an extremely contentious penalty and former Real Madrid winger Javier Balboa converted it to force extra-time.
And the same player then scored with a brilliant free-kick to send Equatorial Guinea into the last four for the first time.
The penalty was the turning point, and Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn’s decision sparked fury from Tunisian players and the coaching staff on the sidelines.
There were ugly confrontations between both camps near the dugouts and riot police even had to move in to restore order.
Tunisia are ranked 96 places above Equatorial Guinea in the FIFA world rankings and, having largely bossed the game, they took the lead on 70 minutes.
Mohamed Yaakoubi crossed from the right and Ahmed Akaichi got in front of Diosdado Mbele and steered the ball home at the near post.
However, with the hosts apparently heading out, they were handed an injury-time spot-kick when Ivan Bolado went down under minimal contact from Hamza Mathlouthi.
And, once the Tunisian protests had finally died down, Balboa calmly sent Aymen Mathlouthi the wrong way from the spot.
Estoril striker Balboa then settled the match in the 12th minute of extra time with a wonderful free-kick which he curled into the top corner.
There were further ugly scenes in the closing stages as players clashed near the dugouts once again and, at the final whistle, Seechurn was surrounded by furious Tunisian players, and then chased by them across the field and down the tunnel, as riot police and yellow-jacketed security officials tried to escort him away safely.
Pre-tournament long shots Equatorial Guinea will now contest a semi-final against Ghana or Guinea in capital Malabo next Thursday.
The day’s first quarter-final was hardly less dramatic as Congo came back from 2-0 down to defeat Republic of Congo 4-2 in a thrilling second-half.
The opening 45 minutes were lacklustre but Dore Ferebory gave Republic of Congo the lead in the 55th minute when he drifted in behind the defense at a free kick and flicked home a right-foot volley.
And Thievy Bifouma made it 2-0 seven minutes later after some chaotic defending allowed him to sweep in a loose ball from close range for his tournament-leading third goal in four games.
However, Congo hit back three minutes later when Yannick Bolasie sped down the left to the byline, and pulled a cross back to give forward Dieumerci Mbokani an easy tap in.
Mbokani's forward partner, Loteteka Bokila, then equalized with 15 minutes left, hammering a shot into the roof of the net after his initial effort had been blocked.
Substitute Joel Kimuaki headed in the crucial third goal from a set-piece with nine minutes to go, and Mbokani bore down on goal in stoppage time to score his second and make sure of Congo's place in the last four for the first time in 17 years.
Source: Skysports
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