Wilfried Zaha showed no signs of being distracted by transfer speculation as he stepped up when it counted to send Ivory Coast into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal reached the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2006 on Wednesday night courtesy of a 1-0 win over Benin in the quarter-finals.

Wilfried Bony and Serey Die missed penalties in the shootout as Algeria sealed a 4-3 victory over the Ivory Coast following an entertaining 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final draw on Thursday.

Raucous celebrations in Paris and other French cities quickly soured after fans resorted to vandalism and arson, bringing traffic in the French capital to a standstill after Algeria's Africa Cup win in Egypt.

The sporting action starts to hot up over the weekend, with plenty on offer for armchair fans should the weather take an unexpected turn for the worse.

Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi believes Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Nigeria are standing on the brink of a golden future.

The game had looked to be heading to extra time as the two teams battled for the right to play Senegal in Friday's showpiece, but Man City midfielder Mahrez won it for Algeria late on.

A bizarre own goal in extra time sent Senegal through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win against Tunisia. Senegal will face Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Friday evening.

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez curled in an injury-time free-kick to send Algeria into the final, prompting wild celebrations as fans set off fireworks on Blackstock Road, in Highbury.

Sportsmail looks at both sides, the Manchester City v Liverpool rivalry in this game, how each team got to the final and why Kalidou Koulibaly's suspension could come back to haunt Senegal.

Algeria beat Senegal to win the Africa Cup of Nations after Baghdad Bounedjah's heavily deflected strike just two minutes into the final.

Pep Guardiola has agreed with Jurgen Klopp that the amount of games players have to play is ludicrous. Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez won the African Cup of Nations with Algeria on Friday.

 Wilfried Bony has revealed he is close to moving abroad after leaving Swansea this summer - and is training with League Two Newport County to keep his fitness up.

Didier Drogba has backed Sadio Mane to be a front-runner for the Ballon d'Or and hopes the Senegalese winger can become only the second African to win the award - after George Weah in 1995.

Riyad Mahrez has pulled-out of the Algeria squad ahead of their African Cup of Nations clash with Botswana on Monday. He assisted in the 5-0 thrashing of Zambia, has not travelled to Botswana

Instantly naming Mahrez as the best current Arab player in the world, former City midfielder Nasri admitted he had reached his verdict 'because (Mahrez) is Algerian and I like his style of play.'

The tournament was moved to the summer months following a decision by their executive committee in 2017. However, a decision has been made to reverse that call on Wednesday.

Liverpool are set to lose Mo Salah for the start of next season after Egypt bosses said they are confident he will commit to playing in the Tokyo Olympics.

Liverpool are facing up to the prospect of potentially being without star man Mohamed Salah for four months next season, if the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic games move to a spring slot.

Ghana were on the verge of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final when they were awarded a penalty in added time of extra time after a Luis Suarez's handball.

After years of playing and commentating, David Lloyd knows a thing or two about how to enjoy the perfect day out at the cricket.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Sportsmail columnist David Lloyd was present as always to cast his expert and unique opinion over the action as New Zealand hosted England at the Bay Oval.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: That was a sobering start for England's new era. It will be alarming for the management, and for English coaches, that their batsmen are technically inferior to New Zealand's.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: On the face of it, England selected a very disjointed side: five seamers, no spinner and a part-time wicketkeeper. I suspect this selection was driven by stats of previous Tests.

Captain Joe Root hit a double century against New Zealand to get England back on track on day four of the second Test. David Lloyd was present to give his expert opinion on the action...

The Dutchman played a huge part in the 0-0 as he was involved in an altercation with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira that saw the Frenchman sent off for a second yellow and also missed a late penalty.

Roma are considering a summer move for Alexis Sanchez as Manchester United look to offload the Chilean winger at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.

When the Class of 92 graduated at Old Trafford, it signalled the start of something special not only for Premier League giants Manchester United, but for English football too.

The Daily Mirror claim Paul Pogba has told Manchester United he wishes to join Real Madrid, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have plans to make him part of the club's future midfield.

Paul Pogba has struggled to settle at United since his £89million return from Juventus in 2016 and has been been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain as well as a Juve return.

The Serie A club are willing to entertain offers for the 28-year-old Senegal centre back when the transfer window finally opens this summer with Liverpool reportedly leading the chase.

Wayne Rooney has recalled the abilities of his former Manchester United colleague Ravel Morrison with the highest praise. And he's far from alone in remembering how good Morrison used to be.

Darmian spent four years at United before joining Parma last summer, but saw Rashford make his first-team debut in his first year at the club before France midfielder Pogba joined a year later.

David Beckham was sent off in the second-half of England's last 16 game with Argentina after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The Three Lions would go on to be knocked out by their rivals on penalties.

The Argentine star has impressed Maurizio Sarri this season - scoring 13 goals in 34 games and providing 12 assists - and is once again becoming a key player for the current Serie A leaders.

He won't select Trent Alexander-Arnold over Gary Neville right now, but Rafael feels it is only a matter of time before the Liverpool youngster rockets past the level of his former team-mate.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has been out of a job since resigning as boss of Eredivisie side Feyenoord in October after less than five months in charge of the club.

According to Tutto Mercato, Manchester United scouts have attended four of Juventus' Champions League fixtures this season to run the rule over midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Alexis Sanchez is currently on loan at Inter Milan after struggling to adapt to life at Manchester United. Sanchez's future at Old Trafford is uncertain, but he is reportedly keen on a move back to Chile.

The French defender became a firm favourite at United, spending eight-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford after joining the club from Monaco in January 2006. But he wasn't always in favour.

The striker burst on to the European stage this season after his impressive form for Red Bull Salzburg earned him a £17million transfer to Borussia Dortmund in January.

Pretty much every major character in the drama of Sir Alex's 26 years at Old Trafford - and a good number of minor ones too - has a story to tell about his infamous 'hairdryer' treatment.

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand's comments discussing Ravel Morrison's wasted '£100million' potential have 'upset' the former Manchester United wonderkid.

Paul Ince has called on Manchester United to end the 'Paul Pogba circus', backing manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to build a side based around the 'United Way.'

During a game between Liverpool and Manchester United in 2011, Evra and Luis Suarez were involved in an altercation and the Frenchman alleged that the former Reds star called him the N-word.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra revealed that Ferguson was also trying to bring Gareth Bale from Tottenham along with Ronaldo to United just weeks before he retired.

Sampdoria believe they are owed a fee as part of the deal that took Fernandes to Manchester, claiming they inserted a sell-on clause in the deal that took him from Italy to Lisbon in 2017.

Manchester United have agreed a £250,000 deal with Sunderland for teenage striker Joe Hugill. The 16-year old is an old fashioned style centre forward.

Angel Di Maria's time in the Premier League was short lived, and it may not just have been to do with his form at Manchester United, as his wife has revealed the awful time she had in England.

The 19-year-old starlet's contract expires on July 1 and there are suggestions that Premier League sides - including Chelsea - are keen on snapping him up if he decides to end his time at Old Trafford.