The Democratic Republic of Congo progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after overcoming Egypt on penalties.
Mohamed Abou Gabal started in goal for Egypt after Mohammed El-Shenawy was ruled out for the tournament, while it was a welcome return for the Leopards' Cedric Bakambu but injury ruled out Gael Katuka.
Egypt targeted a swift start through a towering header in the area from Ahmed Hegazi from a good supply, but the defender steered his effort over the crossbar.
The Leopards came to life following a difficult opening and camped extensively in the opposite half with penetrations from all angles.
Rui Vitoria's men couldn't contain the pressure and were behind after Yoane Wissa moved down the left and cut in for Meschak Elia to profit from close-range past the half-hour mark.
South African referee Abongile Tom was called over by the pitch-side refereeing team on the stroke of halftime and awarded a penalty for a foul by Dylan Batubinsika on Hegazi, leaving Mostafa Mohamed to convert.
Vitoria made the first alteration of the match right after halftime, with Ahmed El Foutouh taken off to see Mohamed Hamdy Sharaf introduced.
Congo looked to regain the lead eight minutes after the resumption through a first-time attempt at the near post by Bakambu, who sent his wide of the mark.
The Pharaohs came alive following the midway quarter and managed to struck a few openings though none of it troubled the Leopards.
Both teams went at each towards the end however struggled to unlock one another, but battled and extra-time followed.
Egypt were down to ten players five minutes in the additional period as Sharaf got his marching orders following a second bookable offence.
It was pretty laboured thereafter with no decent chances and a penalty shoot-out followed to determine who progresses from the last 16.
With two misses on either side, the shoot-out went into sudden death and it was nerve-wrecking as Abou Gabal stepped up and hit the post before his opposite number Lionel Mpasi lined-up to convert the decisive kick and send the Leopards to the quarter-finals.
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