The 2026 World Cup has been an astounding victory for African football, however, the manner in which they've exited will sting.
Despite a remarkable number of sides from the continent progressing to the knock-out stages, showing that Africa can contend on the largest of stages, the defeats have been difficult to stomach.
From Egypt's conspiracy theory-creating loss versus Argentina, to DR Congo falling at the final hurdle to Harry Kane's sword, here are the minutes in which each African side conceded to go home in the knock-out phases of the 2026 World Cup.
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The minute in which every eliminated African team conceded and went home at the 2026 World Cup
Shockingly, no African side conceded the goal that sent them home before the 86th minute across North America.
Each team ran their higher quality opposition to the absolute wire, and suffered the most heart-wrenching of defeats in the process.
Beginning with DR Congo, who led the game 1-0 against England for over 70 minutes, they conceded in the 86th to be sent home.
A similar situation unfolded for Ivory Coast, who were tied tied until Erling Haaland scored the match-winning strike in the 86th.
South Africa were tied with co-hosts Canada until a 91st minute strike from the edge of the box sank their dreams.
Senegal had it even worse, they were up 2-0 beyond the 80th, before late goals from Belgium tied proceedings and a 125th-minute spot kick from Youri Tielemans broke Senagalese hearts.
And worst of all is Argentina's exploits against Cape Verde and Egypt, the latter of which led to the most explosive of conspiracy theories becoming a major talking point at the tournament.
The Argentinians were taken to extra time by Cape Verde, who came back from a goal down twice, before a 111th-minute goal won the game.
Against Egypt, the 2022 World Cup winners trailed for almost 80 minutes, scoring two in four minutes to level the tie at 2-2.
A 92nd-minute strike plunged the dagger into Egyptian hearts, after two separate penalty incidents were waved off at the other end, and after VAR disallowed a glorious Pharaohs goal earlier in the half.
The minute in which all six eliminated African teams in the knock-outs conceded to go home: 86', 86', 91', 92', 111', 125'.
