Senegal clinched the top spot in AFCON Group D on goal difference after a dramatic 3-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday.
The result allows the Teranga Lions to avoid a last-16 clash with Algeria and stay clear of tournament favorites Morocco and Nigeria until the final.
Abdoulaye Seck opened the scoring with a 38th-minute header.
Habib Diallo added a second in the 62nd minute via a Sadio Mané assist, before Cherif Ndiaye sealed the top spot with a 97th-minute penalty.
Senegal played the final 20 minutes with 10 men after captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off in the 71st minute for a tackle on Aiyegun Tosin.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made several crucial saves late in the game to preserve the lead as DR Congo simultaneously threatened Senegal’s position with a 3-0 win over Botswana.
Senegal remains in Tangier to face Burkina Faso or Sudan this Saturday. Despite the defeat, Benin also progresses and will face Egypt in Agadir on Monday.
