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Kolo Toure Scores Penalty as Cote d'Ivoire Win AFCON

It took penalties to decide the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, and in the end it was Kolo Toure's Cote d'Ivoire who emerged victorious.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

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.

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.

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