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VAR to the rescue! AFCON referee misses 'STONEWALL' penalty and books Ivory Coast's Nicolas Pepe for DIVING against Senegal... before technology spares his blushes

VAR came to the referee and Ivory Coast's rescue during their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash with Senegal after the man in the middle originally failed to award the hosts a 'stonewall' penalty.

Senegal went ahead inside four minutes through Habib Diallo, but Ivory Coast pushed for an equaliser in the second half and had a great chance when former Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe was played through on goal in the 83rd minute.

Pepe got there just before Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and appeared to be wiped out by the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper, but the referee waved away Ivory Coast's appeals for a penalty and even booked Pepe for diving.