We’ve reached the knockout stages of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations and after an entertaining group stage phase full of incredible goals, controversy and giant killings, the Last 16 was no different.
Some Premier League stars have already returned to their clubs after failing to make it out of their respective groups, but plenty are still left in the competition fighting for glory.
Ghana and Algeria provided the two biggest shocks when they finished bottom of their groups, meaning the likes of Arsenal ’s Thomas Partey and Manchester City ’s Riyad Mahrez were flown home earlier than expected.
But the Last 16 had some tasty looking fixtures lined up, including Nigeria vs Tunisia and Ivory Coast vs Egypt, but who came out on top?
Here is a full round-up of how each Premier League player got on in the first round of knockout stage fixtures, as a Quarter-Final place was up for grabs.
Who is your favourite to win AFCON 2021 following the Last 16 games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Arsenal
Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny were set up to do battle with each other when Ivory Coast were drawn against Egypt in the Last 16, and it was Elneny’s Pharoahs who came out on top to advance to the quarter-finals.
Both players played the full 90 minutes as well as extra time and although Pepe converted his spot kick, it was Elneny’s side who won 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.
Omar Rekik’s Tunisia were also in Last 16 action and they knocked out giants Nigeria on Sunday, with Rekik coming on as a 95th minute substitute to help see out the game.
Aston Villa
Trezeguet’s tournament continues as Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties following the game ending at 0-0 after extra time on Wednesday, with the forward featuring as a 71st minute substitute.
Bertrand Traore played 81 minutes of Burkina Faso’s 1-1 draw with Gabon on Sunday and scored his side’s only goal after originally missing an 18th minute penalty, before his nation won 7-6 on penalties following extra time.
Brentford
Frank Onyeka has returned to Brentford following Nigeria’s disappointing 1-0 loss to Tunisia, with the midfielder failing to make an appearance from the bench on Sunday.
Brighton
Yves Bissouma’s AFCON tournament came to an end on Wednesday when Mali suffered a shock exit at the hands of Equatorial Guinea, managing 70 minutes as his side drew 0-0 after extra time before losing 6-5 on penalties.
Ulrick Eneme Ella was an unused substitute for Gabon in their Last 16 defeat to Burkina Faso on Sunday, as his side drew 1-1 after extra time before losing 7-6 on penalties.
Burnley
Maxwel Cornet will return to Burnley after Ivory Coast were knocked out by Egypt following a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat on Wednesday, after the game had finished 0-0 after extra time, although he featured as a 105th minute substitute.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy kept another clean sheet on Tuesday as Senegal defeated Cape Verde 2-0 in their Last 16 tie, meaning his AFCON journey continues into the quarter-finals on Sunday.
Crystal Palace
Like Mendy, Cheikhou Kouyate will also feature in the quarter-finals on Sunday following Senegal’s 2-0 victory over Cape Verde on Tuesday, although the midfielder did not feature due to suspension.
Wilfried Zaha, however, will return home following Ivory Coast’s 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Egypt on Thursday, after the game finished 0-0 with extra time, despite the winger coming on as a 71st minute substitute and scoring his spot kick.
Everton
Alex Iwobi’s AFCON tournament ended in horrific fashion. The winger was sent off on 66 minutes after coming on as a sub just seven minutes before, as his side lost 1-0 to Tunisia on Sunday.
Leicester City
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho have returned to Leicester following the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia on Sunday, as Ndidi played the full 90 minutes, while Iheanacho picked up a booking and was substituted after 59 minutes.
Nampalys Mendy remains the only Foxes player at AFCON after Senegal defeated Cape Verde 2-0 on Tuesday, with the midfielder playing the full 90 minutes and picking up a 72nd minute booking.
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah remains on AFCON duty after scoring Egypt’s decisive spot kick in their 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Ivory Coast on Wednesday, captaining his side for the 0-0 draw.
Sadio Mane also advanced to the quarter-finals with Senegal after they beat Cape Verde on Tuesday, scoring his side's first goal in their 2-0 win before coming off as a 70th minute substitute through injury.
Naby Keita won’t be joining Salah and Mane in the next round after Guinea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Gambia on Monday, with the midfielder missing out after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage.
Manchester United
Eric Bailly will return to Old Trafford after Ivory Coast lost 5-4 to Egypt on penalties after a 0-0 draw on Wednesday, where the defender picked up a booking and played the full 90 minutes and extra time.
Hannibal Mejbri will continue to represent the Red Devils at AFCON after Tunisia beat Nigeria 1-0 on Sunday, although the midfielder was an unused substitute.
Southampton
Moussa Djenepo’s Mali crashed out of the competition after drawing 0-0 with Equatorial Guinea after extra time and then losing 6-5 on penalties, with the winger coming on as a 70th minute substitute.
Watford
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has returned to Vicarage Road following his side’s defeat to Tunisia on Sunday, with the defender playing the full 90 minutes.
Imran Louza and Adam Masina both featured in Morocco’s 2-1 comeback win over Malawi on Tuesday, as Masina played the full 90 minutes and Louza managed 80 minutes before being substituted.
Ismaila Sarr missed out on Senegal’s 2-0 win over Cape Verde in the Last 16 on Tuesday, but is set to finally feature for his country in the quarter-finals after returning from injury.
Wolves
Romain Saiss captained Morocco and played the full 90 minutes of their 2-1 comeback win against Malawi on Tuesday, meaning his AFCON tournament continues into the quarter-finals this weekend.
