Goalkeeper Ibrahima Sy saved three penalties on Wednesday as Senegal won a dramatic penalty shootout against Ukraine to reach the last eight of the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

This memorable climax came about after the sides were locked at 1-1 at the end of normal and extra times, with Artem Biesiedin’s well-worked opener in Auckland having been cancelled out by a late Sidy Sarr leveller.

Ibrahima Sy: Senegal’s saviour

Ukraine came into the match having kept clean sheets in all three of their previous encounters, but faced a side intent on tarnishing that unblemished record.

Senegal’s unpredictability and willingness to improvise provided a risk in itself, as shown when Sarr flicked the ball up with his heel to set up a volleyed chance in just five minutes.

The resultant shot may have been pulled disappointingly wide, but it hinted at what the Africans are capable of doing.

The Europeans had their moments too, and might have gone in front eight minutes later if Biesiedin, stretching and off balance, had been in a better position to meet Vladyslav Kabaiev’s looping cross.

Viktor Kovalenko, the tournament’s top scorer, was notably subdued during the first half but came to life shortly after the restart, forcing Sy into a crucial block with his legs after the Senegal keeper had parried Biesiedin’s initial effort.

Both keepers were required to be at their best, and at the other end Bohdan Sarnavskyi – one of the best on show at this tournament – produced a wonderful save to keep the scoreline blank.

Roger Gomis had done everything right, twisting into space at the edge of the box and hammering the ball toward goal.

But with the Senegal captain’s shot heading for the roof of the net, Sarnavskyi somehow stuck out a hand to tip it over.

With no further goals in normal or extra time, that left penalties to settle the outcome – and Sy to steal the spotlight.

The Senegal keeper whipped up the crowd on his way to take up his position and rose to the occasion, saving from Yevhen Chumak,

Yevhenii Nemtinov and Valerii Luchevych as each of Senegal’s takers dispatched their kicks with aplomb.

Senegal, which qualified for the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place finishers at the group stage, joins fellow African team Mali in the quarter-finals.

It was Mali which eliminated Ghana earlier on Wednesday with an emphatic 3-0 win.

Africa’s fourth representative in New Zeland, Nigeria, is due to play Germany in their round of 16 encounter on Thursday.

Other Results:

Ghana 0-3 Mali
Serbia 2-1 Hungary (aet)
USA 1-0 Colombia

(PANA/NAN)