Cape Verde s forward #20 Ryan Mendes celebrates scoring his team s first goal after a penalty kick during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Cape Verde and Mauritania at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 29, 2024. AFP
The match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan was drifting towards extra time when Cape Verde won a spot-kick and captain Mendes converted with just two minutes of the 90 remaining to break Mauritania's resistance.
The Blue Sharks then held on through 10 added minutes to advance to a quarter-final on Saturday in Yamoussoukro against either Morocco or South Africa, who meet in the last 16 on Tuesday.
The tiny Atlantic Ocean island nation had got out of their group in two of their three previous appearances at the AFCON, but had never before won a knockout tie.
Mauritania had been hoping to extend their fine run in Ivory Coast, after they won a Cup of Nations match for the first time in nine attempts in their last group game, beating Algeria to eliminate one of the continent's powerhouses.
Qatar equalised through captain Hassan Al-Haydos in first-half injury time, before Akram Afif scored his fourth goal of the tournament, from the penalty spot, four minutes after the break.
The hosts made it four wins out of four at the competition and moved into a quarter-final against either Uzbekistan or Thailand.
It was also their 11th straight win at the Asian Cup, which they lifted for the first time in 2019.
Qatar coach Tintin Marquez named his strongest starting lineup after using all 26 members of his squad during the group stage.
Afif returned along with striker Almoez Ali after being rested in Qatar's final group game.
The hosts dominated the early possession but it was Palestine who had the first chance, Amid Mahajna hitting a shot from distance that goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham turned round the post.
Dabbagh blazed over the bar as Palestine continued to threaten, before Barsham again came to the rescue from a Mahmoud Abu Warda effort.
Qatar conceded for the first time in the tournament after a sloppy pass from defender Bassam Al-Rawi.
Dabbagh latched onto the loose ball and held off two Qatar defenders before firing a shot into the far corner.
It was no less than Palestine deserved, but Qatar equalised with virtually the last kick of the half.
Afif picked out Haydos with a cut-back corner and the captain rammed the ball past goalkeeper Rami Hamada.
Qatar needed just four minutes after the restart to take the lead, after a Mohammed Saleh foul on Ali gave them a penalty.
Afif made no mistake from the spot and Qatar cruised through the rest of the match with Palestine tiring badly.
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