10 January 2010

The African Nations Cup was marred before it started by Friday’s terrorist attack on Togo – who have left on the orders of their government – but the attention turned back to the football this evening, when the tournament opener turned out to be one of the most incredible games ever seen.

Hosts Angola took a 4-0 lead and were still that margin ahead after 78 minutes but Mali scored four times to draw 4-4. The odds on the draw happening were 999-1 at 78 minutes on the betting exchange, Betfair, and £37 was matched at that price. A Betfair spokesman described the result as “one of the biggest betting shocks ever, in any sport, let alone football.”

The Guardian’s in-running commentary gives a flavour of an astonishing night.