Look away now Manchester United fans! Eric Bailly goes from hero to zero as he gifts Spain an equaliser just SECONDS before the whistle AND then gives away a penalty after scoring the opener in Ivory Coast’s extra-time defeat in Olympic quarter-finals
Eric Bailly was in the thick of the action in Ivory Coast’s Olympic quarter-final clash with Spain for the right and wrong reasons — but mostly the wrong.
The Manchester United defender gave his side a shock lead in the 10th minute by bundling the ball in from a corner although Dani Olmo levelled for Spain.
Ivory Coast then looked set to pull off an extraordinary win when Max Gradel gave them the lead late on but Spain equalised a minute later following a shocking piece of defending from Bailly.
Eric Bailly had an eventful afternoon in Ivory Coast’s Olympic quarter-final game with Spain
It all started so well for Bailly when he gave the Ivory Coast a 10th minute lead from a corner
All the United defender had to do was head the ball away from danger when it dropped towards him while unchallenged in the area but despite being under no pressure at all his miscalculated his jump.
The ball bounced off the back of his head and into the path of Rafa Mir, who cashed in on the gift to score and force extra-time.
Not seeing out the win was a huge blow to Ivory Coast and they looked lost in extra-time, while Bailly’s afternoon got even worse.
Ivory Coast were on course for a famous win when Max Gradel gave them the lead late on
But Spain levelled when Rafa Mir (pictured) pounced after terrible defending from Bailly
Mikel Oyarzabal (pictured) slotted an extra-time penalty after Bailly had handled in the area
When defending a corner he throw his arm up and handled the ball while trying to challenge Pau Torres for a header and the incident was reviewed by VAR, leading to Spain being awarded a penalty.
Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal netted in the 98th minute and Mir rounded off the victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side with two more goals to complete his hat-trick.
Spain, whose side contains six players who also played in the senior team’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, will meet hosts Japan in Tuesday’s semi-final.
