Ivory Coast thrash Congo DR 3-1 to reach third Africa Cup of Nations final in nine years

Ivory Coast thrashed Congo DR 3-1 to reach their third Africa Cup of Nations final in nine years, thanks to Gervinho's pace and Yaya Toure's thunderous efforts.

Toure put Ivory ahead with a ferocious 20-yard shot but just four minutes after the Manchester City midfielder's strike, Dieumerci Mbokani levelled with a penalty after Eric Bailly handled.

Gervinho had a header cleared off the line before he made it 2-1, ahead of half-time, when he curled in to finish off a breakaway. The Ivorians made sure of victory when Wilfried Kanon kneed home after Serge Aurier's header had been saved, the BBC reported.

Gervinho, outstanding throughout, had a good chance to add further gloss to the scoreline late on, but his effort was saved by the busy Robert Kidiaba.

In their quarterfinal with Congo, the Leopards had clawed their way back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. But on Wednesday, they were soundly beaten by an Ivory Coast side who utilised the pace of Gervinho to superb effect and looked determined to make up for recent failures in the competition.

Beaten finalists in 2006 and in 2012, Ivory Coast's so-called 'golden generation' have been unable to add to their country's sole Cup of Nations trophy in 1992.

However, despite the retirement of talisman and striker Didier Drogba, this side has started to give credence to coach Herve Renard's claim it contains the perfect blend of experience and youth.

Ivory Coast would next face either hosts Equatorial Guinea or Ghana, who meet in Thursday's semifinal, the report added.