The Ivory Coast fought back to claim a dramatic last-gasp 2-1 win over Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Nene Dorgeles’ memorable strike put Mali ahead after Odilon Kossounou’s first-half red card for the hosts.
But Simon Adingra’s 90th-minute equaliser took the tie to extra time before the Ivory Coast won it in the final minutes of the match through Oumar Diakite, who was then sent off along with Mali’s Hamari Traore.
Mali missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead when Adama Traore’s penalty was saved.
Kossounou clumsily fouled pacey striker Lassine Sinayoko in the box before Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana did well to get down and make a fingertip stop in the bottom right corner.
Traore tested the Ivory Coast’s defenders in behind but his appeals for a free-kick on the edge of the box were waved down by the referee, who showed the Hull player a yellow card for simulation.
The Elephants fluffed their best chance of the match after 40 minutes. Right-back Serge Aurier made a direct run inside before picking out Seko Fofana on the edge of the box but the midfielder put too much power into the strike as his effort flew over the bar.
A poor first half for Emerse Fae’s hosts was made worse when Kossounou picked up a second yellow and was sent off.
Sinayoko continued to wreak havoc, breaking away from orange shirts before a cynical challenge from Kossounou earned him a deserved red card.
Mali increased the pressure on their 10-man opponents after the break as they searched for an opener.
Amadou Haidara was unmarked on the edge of the area and he almost found the breakthrough when his long-range shot dipped towards the bottom corner, forcing Yahia Fofana into action.
But after 71 minutes Mali got the goal they deserved after a stunning strike from substitute Dorgeles.
Dorgeles, who was born in the Ivory Coast, picked up the ball in midfield before he took advantage of the free man and drove into space.
The Salzburg midfielder cut onto his right foot, producing a wonderful dipping effort which found the top corner.
The strike, which will be a goal of the tournament contender, had too much power and accuracy for Yahia Fofana to replicate his earlier heroics.
But in dramatic circumstances, the Ivory Coast levelled the tie on 90 minutes.
Seko Fofana’s effort crashed off a Malian defender and into the path of substitute and Brighton winger Adingra, who smashed home to equalise.
In the last minute of extra time, Ivory Coast stole the victory.
An attacking free-kick saw the loose ball fall to Seko Fofana, who let fly before Diakite managed to get a crucial touch, sending the ball into the net and the tournament hosts into the semi-final.
Diakite picked up a second yellow card after he removed his shirt during the celebrations before Hamari Traore was shown a straight red.
Tyson Fury’s undisputed world heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk has been rearranged for May 18, promoters have announced.
The much-hyped encounter had originally been due to take place in Saudi Arabia later this month but was postponed this week after the Briton suffered a “freak cut” above the eye in training.
A statement from Queensbury Promotions on X, formerly known as Twitter, read: “The undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been rescheduled to May 18th in Riyadh.”
Fury, holder of the WBC belt, required medical attention after suffering the injury during a sparring session.
It is the second time his planned fight with Usyk has been delayed after an initial slot in December failed to materialise.
The winner of the fight, when it eventually takes place, will be crowned as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Ukraine’s Usyk holds the WBO, WBA and IBF titles.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh's last-minute penalty gave Iran a 2-1 win over Japan, and a semi-final against Asian Cup holders and hosts Qatar will be their reward.
Jahanbakhsh kept his cool in the 96th minute to keep three-time Asian Cup winners Iran on course for a first title since 1976.
Iran came from behind after Hidemasa Morita put pre-tournament favourites Japan ahead in the first half of an entertaining quarter-final at Education City Stadium.
But Mohammad Mohebi levelled the score in the 55th minute to pave the way for Jahanbakhsh's late heroics.
Iran's win was made even more impressive considering they were without star striker Mehdi Taremi, who was suspended.
Qatar, meanwhile, are in with a chance of retaining the title after they defeated Uzbekistan on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Al Bayt Stadium.
Utkir Yusupov's own goal put Qatar ahead midway through the first half, but Uzbekistan rallied after the break – Odiljon Hamrobekov's effort enough to send the tie to extra time and eventually penalties.
Almoez Ali and Almahdi Ali both failed to convert for Qatar in the shoot-out, but Jaloliddin Masharipov's miss set the stage for Pedro Miguel to be Qatar's hero.
Iran will take on Qatar on Wednesday, a day after South Korea go up against Jordan.
Luka Jovic made the difference for AC Milan one minute after coming on as an 80th-minute substitute with the winning strike in their 3-2 Serie A victory at Frosinone.
Olivier Giroud nodded in the opener which was cancelled out before the break by Matias Soule’s penalty, but Luca Mazzitelli fired the hosts in front after half-time.
The sides were back on level terms when Matteo Gabbia, assisted by Giroud, found the back of the net with a diving header before Serbia striker Jovic wrapped up the win.
The result sees AC Milan – in third – move to within four points of second-placed Juventus, having played one more game, while Serie A leaders Inter Milan have two games on hand over Stefano Pioli’s men.
There was a chance inside the first minute for Soule, who fired the ball over the crossbar, as the hosts piled on more pressure in the opening exchanges.
Yet it was the visitors who soon settled in and took the lead in the 17th minute, when Giroud connected with Rafael Leao’s pinpoint cross and cushioned the opener into the bottom right.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had only just made his first save, tipping Demba Seck’s effort over the crossbar, when Leao was punished for a handball at the right edge of his side’s 18-yard box.
Milan protested, but the penalty was ultimately upheld after a VAR check and Soule stepped up to the spot and fired past Maignan, who moved in the right direction but could not make the stop.
The period with electric pace slowed only briefly when Giroud appeared to tweak his ankle but was deemed fit to continue and soon came painstakingly close to picking up an assist, his delivery across the face of goal from a tight angle narrowly evading both the head of Yacine Adli and a diving Leao.
The hosts wanted Christian Pulisic charged with another handball, but the penalty shout was waived off, and Tijjani Reijnders was unable to break the deadlock when he nodded straight at Stefano Turati.
The Frosinone goalkeeper was forced into a nervy save deep in first-half stoppage time, reacting quickly after Leao’s effort took a dangerous deflection off Caleb Okoli and flew dangerously toward the far corner – Turati just able to stretch his hand out for the stop.
The hosts took the lead in the 65th minute, Soule slipping the ball to Mazzitelli, who came up the middle before handing his side the advantage with a low finish.
The home support had barely finished celebrating when Adli, from a corner, sent a cross to Giroud, who nodded towards the ball in the direction of Gabbia, who drew the sides level with a diving header.
Pioli brought in Jovic for Christian Pulisic in the 80th minute, a decision that paid off instantly when the Serbia striker pounced on a loose ball that had bounced off grounded Frosinone defender Simone Romagnoli and fired home.
Barcelona beat Alaves 3-1 in LaLiga despite playing the last 20 minutes with a man less.
Alaves piled the pressure on in the first period but Barcelona, in their first game since manager Xavi announced he will resign in the summer, nicked the opening goal of the game through Robert Lewandowski’s ninth of the season.
The home side were looking for a fourth straight league win but their hopes seemed to be snuffed out when Ilkay Gundogan doubled Barca’s lead.
Samuel Omorodion brought the hosts back into the match a couple of minutes later before Vitor Roque came off the bench on the hour mark for a whirlwind few minutes. He slotted Barca’s third and then saw red for a second bookable offence, but Barca nevertheless held on for a fifth win in six league games.
The hosts were causing major problems for Barca through the early stages and Omorodion was waiting to tap in from six yards following Sola’s low cross, but Ronald Araujo was there to clear away from danger.
Back came Alaves in search of the opener, this time Omorodion first to meet a corner at the front post but his glancing header evaded everyone inside the area.
Against the run of play, Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Lewandowski latched onto a clever through ball from Gundogan and the Poland striker dinked over Antonio Sivera to make it 1-0.
Alaves almost had an equaliser five minutes later as John Guridi nodded towards goal but Barca keeper Inaki Pena did well to push the ball away.
Another wonderful chance went begging for the home team when the ball fell perfectly for Omorodion inside the box but he lashed a volley wide of the target.
Barcelona started the second half in much more solid fashion and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal four minutes after the break when Pedri’s delicious cross found Gundogan at the back post and he volleyed across goal to double the visitors’ lead.
Alaves responded almost instantly when Sola’s cross found Omorodion who headed past Pena to cut the deficit back down to a solitary goal.
Barcelona re-established their two goal lead just after the hour mark with a well-worked team goal.
Lamine Yamal started the move as he danced past Javi Lopez and after a few quick passes, Hector Fort cut it back for Roque who tucked the ball into the bottom right corner.
Barcelona were forced to play the final 20 minutes with a man less after goalscoring substitute Roque was sent off for a second yellow card after just 13 minutes on the pitch.
The 18-year-old Brazilian was booked a few moments before and saw red after he appeared to clip Rafa Marin, which the referee deemed to be worth another yellow card as Barca players protested heavily.
Alaves searched for a route back into the game but Barcelona looked solid and held on to make it back-to-back wins.
Aston Villa returned to winning ways in style as they put Sheffield United to the sword with four goals in the opening 30 minutes in a 5-0 romp at Bramall Lane.
Villa’s Premier League top-four hopes had faltered after winning just one of their last five matches but Unai Emery’s men put that right to move above Tottenham and back into fourth.
Goals from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans before the half-hour put them in dreamland and Alex Moreno’s second-half goal made it a day to remember for Villa, who registered their biggest Premier League away win since 2004.
At one point they would have had history in their sights as they had more than 45 minutes to try and find four more goals which would have equalled the record victory in the Premier League era, but they took their foot off the gas.
Still, it was bad enough for Sheffield United on another embarrassing day for the club, just four months after they were beaten 8-0 by Newcastle at Bramall Lane.
Boss Chris Wilder will surely know his side will be playing in the Championship next season as they have taken just 10 points from 23 games and are the same number away from safety.
Villa will hope to use this as a springboard for the rest of the campaign as they eye Champions League qualification for the first time.
It was the vision of Douglas Luiz that enabled them to take a two-goal lead within 16 minutes.
First, the midfielder sliced open Sheffield United’s defence with a fine pass which set Watkins through on goal. The England international lifted the ball over the on-rushing Wes Foderingham and onto the post, with McGinn tucking the rebound into an empty net.
Luiz’s assist for the second goal four minutes later was even more eye-catching as he again played in Watkins with an outrageous pass with the outside of his boot and this time the striker found the bottom corner.
It was 3-0 four minutes later with another goal of quality as Bailey cut inside and whipped a brilliant left-footed strike into the top corner.
A section of the home fans were fearing a repeat of that Newcastle nightmare and left the ground and even more headed for the exit 10 minutes later when Tielemans made it 4-0 with another picturebook goal.
The Belgian found acres of space on the edge of the area from a corner, took a touch and then rifled in off the underside of the crossbar to complete a dream half-hour.
Villa needed 83 seconds of the second half to make it five, as some slapdash defending from Auston Trusty allowed Watkins to tee up Moreno to volley home from close range.
United were at least able to stem the tide and threatened to get on the scoresheet but Emiliano Martinez saved from Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson.
Their misery was complete late on in the game when Vini Souza poked home from a set-piece but VAR ruled it out for offside.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with a displaced flap of the meniscus in his left knee and could undergo surgery, The Athletic reported on Saturday.
Another option for the reigning NBA MVP would be to rest and rehab the injury instead of having a procedure on the knee.
Embiid was injured in the 76ers' loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in his first game back after missing two contests due to an issue with his left knee.
Embiid is the NBA’s leading scorer with 35.3 points per game and is averaging 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 34 appearances.
He had a franchise-record 70 points to go along with 18 rebounds on Jan. 22 against the San Antonio Spurs.
Manager Steve Evans dedicated Stevenage’s 1-0 win over Blackpool to teenage supporter Ollie Gatfield, who died in a car accident on his way home from a match last month.
Saturday’s match was the club’s first home game since the 19-year-old died as he travelled home from Stevenage’s win at Shrewsbury three weeks ago. His friend Liam Sharpe remains in a coma and a minute’s applause was held for the pair before the game.
Jake Forster-Caskey’s deflected 85th-minute strike settled a scrappy contest as Stevenage lifted themselves back into the League One play-off places.
Evans said: “We’ve been backed at home by an absolutely brilliant support and, if we ever needed someone above us, I’m sure he dived and headed it as it came across the goal and he flicked it in.
“That’s for Ollie and for Liam – come on, Liam, fight that battle, son.”
Blackpool began the brighter and were denied by fine saves by Craig MacGillivray to keep out Marvin Ekpiteta’s header and Ollie Norburn’s rasping drive, while Daniel Grimshaw tipped over Jamie Reid’s effort.
But the hosts won it when Jordan Roberts laid the ball off for substitute Forster-Caskey, whose shot was deflected past a helpless Grimshaw.
Evans said: “It’s not the best football game in the world for any football purist.
“In many respects there was a cancellation of both teams and it was either going to take a bit of magic or a little bit of luck and I think it was a bit of both.
“Forster-Caskey moves the ball, shifts it and there’s a great strike – some of the lads think it was going into the far corner, but it goes in the other side from the defender trying to block it.”
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley was incensed with the build-up to the winner, saying: “(It was) a definite foul right in front of us.
“You could see it, Hayden (Coulson) gets a touch to the ball, the lad quite clearly falls on top of him, he was nowhere near the ball.
“It was right in front of us, the fourth official’s there, he (the referee) plays on and that’s what happens.
“They build moments and momentum in the game and that moment doesn’t happen if the referee does his job properly.
“I said to the fourth official, ‘That is a clear foul,’ and she says to me, ‘I know, I’ve told him.’ Brilliant, thanks very much.
“They fall over at every opportunity looking for a free-kick because they want to put the ball into the box, so they kid the referee and they played him better than he’s played the game today.”
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut felt rest and recuperation was behind his side’s 1-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Bulut gave his squad an extended break from training last week and their extra energy proved vital in holding off a late Watford onslaught.
Josh Bowler’s superb 43rd-minute strike gave Cardiff a first win since New Year’s Day and moved them to within five points of the Championship play-off places.
Bulut said: “After a few weeks of not winning points we were disappointed, so the three days off that we gave the players refreshed our team.
“Everybody came back with a clear mind and an analysis about themselves and about what they need to do to play much better.
“I think the whole team did really good work today. When you do your job well as a team, it makes it easier.”
Bulut also credited the club’s greater strength in depth following the January transfer market.
The Welsh club brought in six players in the final two days of the transfer window, with David Turnbull and Josh Wilson-Esbrand coming on substitutes to see out the victory.
“In the past I also spoke about only having 16 players, but now at least we can make changes,” Burut said.
“Before, when we had a few injuries, we were fighting in matches, but sometimes even fighting in matches was not enough, not everything. Now it looks much better.
“We worked with the new players, but they still need to know our playing style better. In the coming days and weeks, the qualities of the players will show up much, much better. They will help us a lot in the next 17 games.”
Watford, who sit a point above Cardiff, have not won a league match at Vicarage Road since November 28 and have not scored a goal from open play in their past four games.
Manager Valerien Ismael said: “There’s a big frustration tonight. I have the feeling that over 90 minutes, we should win the game. Yes, our opponents were disciplined, but they had one shot on target and scored the goal.
“It’s painful to lose at home again because we want to give something to our fans. This is a setback for us because we need to use the home games to be strong. So today for me is a tough one to take.
“We said to the players at half-time. ‘You need to step up and believe in yourselves because I believe in you and we believe in you’.
“After the substitutions it was much better. We dominated the ball and we created chances, but in the final third it’s more about desire.
“We need to be nasty in the opponents’ box to get in front of defenders, to make sure you are always there.”
Hull boss Liam Rosenior admitted he felt nervous before the 1-0 Sky Bet Championship win over Millwall.
There was a feelgood factor around the club after a successful transfer window saw the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Ryan Giles and Anass Zaroury arrive at the MKM Stadium.
Rosenior was keen to keep momentum going and the Tigers did just that, securing a second consecutive victory courtesy of fit-again winger Jaden Philogene’s fifth-minute strike.
“It was a really pleasing day because I was fearful before the game that there had been so much positive news surrounding the club,” Rosenior told the club’s official website.
“As a manager, sometimes, that makes you a little bit nervous; I didn’t want us to be complacent and all of the noise we needed to filter out.
“Some of our football in the first half was excellent and it’s great to be able to say we can improve after winning a game of football.”
Rosenior handed Giles and Zaroury their debuts following their loan moves from Luton and Burnley respectively.
“In terms of the first-half performance, other than really having teeth and finishing off Millwall, there were some really good signs – for Anass, his first game, Ryan Giles, his debut, and Jaden’s first game back in two months,” he added.
“I wanted the second goal because I felt our energy levels would tail off naturally.
“Overall, delighted to win the game and a lot of positive signs in the way we want to play – the understanding, the connection between the players.”
Millwall improved after the break and Zian Flemming and Tom Bradshaw almost nicked a point.
Lions boss Joe Edwards bemoaned his side’s first-half display.
Edwards told the club’s official website: “Very much a game of two halves in terms of our performance. We didn’t play well in the first half.
“They get a dream start after four minutes, albeit a sloppy error from us around the box, but someone hits an absolute rocket against the bar and it rebounds to their player and he finishes really well.
“They really grew in confidence and they are a team that loves to drift around the pitch and play good possession.
“They are a good footballing team. That is why they are up that end of the division, and we respect that.
“But we had our moments to take the sting out the game, as we have done in other games in recent weeks, but we didn’t do it and we were a bit sloppy.
“Second half we were a lot sharper in what we were doing, we were cleaner on the ball.
“In that final 20 minutes we were a lot clearer of what our idea was supposed to be, using our wing-back and switching play, and we had more about us.”
Relieved Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was delighted to see Harvey Barnes return to action with a bang as he came off the bench to snatch a thrilling 4-4 draw with Luton for the Magpies.
Barnes, who had been out of action since September 24 with a toe injury, was introduced as a 63rd-minute substitute with his side trailing 4-2 to the promoted Hatters having led 1-0 and 2-1, and it was his strike 10 minutes later which ensured the spoils were shared.
Asked about his £38million summer signing, head coach Howe said: “That’s what Harvey does, that’s why we brought him to the football club.
“He is a goalscorer. His record last year at Leicester was incredible and we hoped, of course, that he would come here and bring goals to us.
“Unfortunately, he’s missed such a big part of the season and it’s huge to get him back I thought it was an incredible finish off his wrong foot, a really, really good goal and I think he had another chance late on as well, so I was really pleased with his impact.”
In a chaotic encounter, Sean Longstaff twice fired the Magpies ahead only for Gabriel Osho and then Ross Barkley, who turned in a fine individual display, to level before the break.
Carlton Morris’ twice-taken penalty saw the visitors go ahead for the first time and when Elijah Adebayo made it 4-2 in the 62nd minute, they looked to be on the way to another impressive win after their 4-0 midweek success over Brighton.
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However, Kieran Trippier’s volley dragged Newcastle back to within a single goal before Barnes struck to set up a grandstand finish during which Jacob Murphy and Chiedozie Ogbene might have won it for their respective sides.
Howe, who lost Anthony Gordon to an ankle injury, said: “With the way we started, I thought this could be a really memorable game for us. But credit to Luton, they responded really well and made it difficult for us.
“It was a really open game, with two teams going right at each other. It was probably a great game for the neutral, but not so much if you’re associated to us because there was a huge determination to win, and we’re disappointed not to.”
Opposite number Rob Edwards shared similarly conflicting feelings on a day when his side once again proved its top-flight credentials.
Edwards said: “We wanted to be brave, which we were, [showed] loads of character, resilience and quality to get back into the game after going behind twice, and after going two goals up, tinged with a little bit of disappointment that we weren’t able to see it out.
“But I’ve got to respect the opposition and the level of the team, the quality of the players that we were coming up against, once they’d got that third goal back, there as still a lot of time on the clock wasn’t there and the almost inevitable happened and they got the equaliser.
“What I was pleased with was our character, our resilience and then actually some quality to keep it at 4-4 and keep pushing.
“I felt sick at times, I felt elation at times. I felt really proud watching my team play and overall, I think a point was a fair result.”
Manager John Mousinho feels his Portsmouth side are back on track after thrashing Northampton 4-1 at Fratton Park.
Paddy Lane scored twice as the leaders cruised to victory despite having debutant Tom McIntyre sent off.
Connor Ogilvie and Callum Lang also netted while Colby Bishop missed a penalty for Pompey, who had debutant Tom McIntyre sent off, before Marc Leonard grabbed a consolation for Northampton.
It is now 10 points from four games for Portsmouth since a 3-0 home defeat by Leyton Orient.
Mousinho said: “I am delighted with the performance and everything we did in the first hour.
“We came out the traps showing we meant business and were determined to cast out the demon of the Leyton Orient result. I think that has been hanging over us since then.
“We were good value for the 2-0 lead. We missed a penalty and I felt we could have had more in the first half.
“We started the second half a bit cagey and of course the sending off changed things.
“But we kept our heads and put the game to bed. They got a late goal and even with the added 10 minutes I felt we weren’t in any danger.
“My initial reaction to the sending off was that I thought it was a great tackle. In terms of appealing, we’ll look at it in detail and then decide.”
Pompey took the lead after seven minutes when Marlon Pack’s free-kick from 30 yards was headed home by Ogilvie.
The second came after 16 minutes. A long clearance from Pack found Lane, who turned inside a defender to drive home.
Pompey were awarded a penalty two minutes before half-time after Harvey Lintott pushed Myles Peart-Harris over but Bishop’s tame kick was easily saved by Lee Burge.
Pompey were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes when McIntyre was shown a straight red for a foul on Mitchell Pinnock.
But Pompey got a third in the 58th minute, Lane playing a one-two before slotting home.
It was 4-0 after 71 minutes as an in-swinging free-kick from Pack saw Lang pick up the loose ball and stab it past Burge.
Northampton got a consolation goal a minute from time when Leonard fired into the roof of the net from a corner.
Cobblers boss Jon Brady said: “It is very disappointing.
“We’ve conceded an early goal from a set piece, which we should defend better. The goals we gave away were more down to us giving them to Portsmouth rather than them executing them well.
“They’re fighting to win the league and we’re fighting to stay in it. We’ve had some great form recently but the last two games have been too easy for the opposition.
“Just look at the team I have put out. It’s nowhere near the team I had picking up three points not long ago.
“am Hoskins has come off with his hamstring which is a blow. Sam Sherring has felt his ankle in the warm-up, so we were unable to get him on, and Ben Fox has been out all season, so could only get 15 minutes on the pitch.
“We started looking like we had purpose when they went down to 10 but then we got sucker-punched with their third a couple of minutes later.”
Tony Docherty admitted he was baffled by the award of a pivotal penalty against Dundee as they lost 3-2 to Hearts at Dens Park.
The home side had opened the scoring in the first half through Jordan McGhee before the Jam Tarts equalised after the break with an Alan Forrest goal.
The Dark Blues took the lead once more with a stunning strike from Lyall Cameron before Hearts were awarded a penalty.
Referee Graham Grainger ruled that Lee Ashcroft had handled a Lawrence Shankland shot with the striker converting the spot-kick before scoring what proved to be a late winner.
However, Dundee boss Docherty questioned the penalty decision and why the official did not have another look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Docherty said: “I would love to come in after a game and talk about my team and how good they’ve been.
“But it seems to be the last five weeks all you do is talk about decisions.
“I just spoke to big Ash there, who is the most honest boy you could meet. What are you meant to do there?
“Are you meant to cut off a body part? What are you meant to do when you are a yard away from the player and it hits you.
“It was such a pivotal point in the game. We had gone from 1-1 to score a wonderful goal to go 2-1 up and I thought we were comfortable.
“Hearts are a really good side with a top striker in Lawrence Shankland. I thought we were handling it well but it was just that moment in the game that changed everything.
“Why doesn’t he go and check it? I don’t understand. He’s told me: ‘Had I seen it again…’ Why did you not go and see it again?
“We have invested as an industry and a football club in a piece of apparatus there that you can go and check.
“Yet you don’t do that. It is just galling for me.”
Shankland had been the subject of intense transfer speculation during the window with Jambos boss Steven Naismith admitting the Scotland front man showed exactly why he is such a key player for Hearts.
The manager said: “He is a top striker. He is somebody who we know is really important and that’s why we wanted to tie him down to a longer contract, that’s why we want him to be here as long as possible.
“A big bit of pressure on his penalty but again he shows his quality.”
Scotland ended 22 years of hurt in Cardiff after they thwarted a spectacular Wales fightback to win an extraordinary Guinness Six Nations clash 27-26.
It was Scotland’s first win in the Welsh capital since 2002 – ending a run of 11 successive defeats – to set up a mouth-watering Murrayfield encounter against France next Saturday.
But Wales made them fight every inch of the way after the Scots had breezed into a 27-point lead after 42 minutes, with wing Duhan van der Merwe scoring two tries including a virtuoso long-range effort while prop Pierre Schoeman also touched down.
Captain Finn Russell kicked three conversions and two penalties, but it only told half the story.
Flanker James Botham’s try sparked the Welsh recovery then he was followed over the line by Rio Dyer, Aaron Wainwright and debutant Alex Mann, with Ioan Lloyd kicking three conversions.
Scotland found themselves on the rack after hooker George Turner and centre Sione Tuipulotu were sin-binned during the second period, yet they successfully closed the game out and left Wales wondering what might have been.
Both teams started brightly under the stadium’s closed roof and Scotland struck first when Russell kicked an angled 20-metre penalty, before quick lineout ball gave Tuipulotu a chance that Wales managed to defend.
Wales, though, could not stop wave after wave of attacks that led to the game’s opening try after 11 minutes.
Russell created initial space and after a strong run by wing Kyle Steyn, Scotland’s forwards took over and Schoeman crossed from close range. Russell’s conversion made it 10-0.
Scotland enjoyed scrum and lineout dominance and they controlled the opening quarter, even if Wales established promising attacking positions at times.
Russell extended Scotland’s lead with a second penalty – Wales wing Josh Adams was punished for throwing the ball away and denying Scotland a quick lineout throw – and alarm bells were beginning to ring for Gatland’s team.
Inevitably, Russell was at the heart of everything good about Scotland’s magic and he weaved his magic to devastating effect 10 minutes before half-time.
Scotland set up a strong position inside Wales’ 22 and the rest was all about Russell, who ghosted into space, threw a half-dummy pass, then delivered a try on a plate for Van der Merwe.
There appeared no way back for Wales, with their problems showing no sign of abating as fly-half Sam Costelow went off for a head injury assessment as Scotland led 20-0 at the interval.
It got even worse for Wales just two minutes into the second period when Van der Merwe carved them open from deep to claim a blistering solo touchdown, and Russell’s conversion put further daylight between the teams.
Costelow failed his HIA and Gatland made three half-time changes, sending on scrum-half Tomos Williams, hooker Elliot Dee and prop Keiron Assiratti, and Wales opened their account when Botham crashed over.
Turner was sin-binned for an offence in the build-up to Botham’s try and Wales struck again, this time through Dyer, with Lloyd’s conversion cutting the gap suddenly and unexpectedly to 15 points.
It was panic stations for Scotland when Tuipulotu went into the sin bin and Wales punished them immediately as Wainwright touched down for a third try in 13 minutes, with Lloyd converting.
The capacity crowd could scarcely believe what they were witnessing, but it was Williams’s influence off the bench that proved key as he injected pace and purpose into Wales’ game.
And when Mann claimed a 68th-minute try, again converted by Lloyd, the improbable dream edged closer, with Scotland looking bewildered and devoid of answers.
But they somehow held out, Wales left with the consolation of two losing bonus points.
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