/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45652210/477591631.0.jpg)
After 120 minutes, Ghana and Kolo Toure's Cote d'Ivoire couldn't be separated, with neither side finding a breakthrough in regular or extra time. Christian Atsu's long-range effort off the post proved the best chance before it went to penalties, and after a shaky start, a wonderful back-and-forth unfolded, including Kolo Toure's powerful blast through Ghanaian goalkeeper Brimah Razak.
Kolo penalty vs Ghana today https://t.co/yyHdJDkaJP
— MostarLFC (@MostarLFC) February 8, 2015
It eventually went to goalkeeper penalties, and Boubacar Barry--who spent most of the shootout pretending to be hurt--first saving Brimah's effort before netting the winner and setting off raucous celebrations for the two-time winners. Surprisingly, it was the first major honor for Toure as part of a very talented generation of Ivorian footballers; a member of the national team since 2000, his international service has been marked by near-misses and failed promise to this point. Now, in his last ever international match, he helps bring home Cote d'Ivoire's second AFCON championship, closing the curtain on a career that will see him finish second all-time in appearances behind Didier Zokora.
Congratulations to Kolo and all his international teammates.