It came down to goalkeeper vs goalkeeper in an epic penalty shootout for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Egypt's Abou Gabal clipped the crossbar with his effort - then failed to stop opposite number Lionel Mpasi scoring to send DR Congo through in dramatic fashion.
After a 1-1 draw following extra-time, the shootout ultimately finished 8-7 in DR Congo's favour at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, sparking jubilant scenes for the Congolese, who now play Guinea in the quarter-finals in Abidjan on Friday.
Meschack Elia had given DR Congo the lead in the game when he headed in virtually on the goal-line, but the advantage lasted nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
Egypt midfielder Mohamed Hamdy received a red card in extra-time, after which the Pharaohs, without injured talisman Mohamed Salah, stopped attacking and held on as the game went to a shootout.
Bayo's dramatic winner sees Guinea into AFCON quarter-finals
Earlier, Mohamed Bayo scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to send Guinea into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over 10-player Equatorial Guinea.
The game was heading for extra-time when Ibrahim Diakite crossed for Bayo to finally break the deadlock with a header inside the near post.
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It was effectively the last play of the game and left Guinea's exhausted opponents slumped on the field.
A majority of the 36,340 fans in attendance celebrated, mindful of Equatorial Guinea's 4-0 win over host nation Ivory Coast in the previous match, a result that almost knocked the hosts out.
Equatorial Guinea defender Federico Bikoro was shown a straight red card in the 55th minute for kicking Bayo while attempting a clearance.
They looked set to take the game into extra-time after Guinea striker and tournament top scorer Emilio Nsue missed a penalty in the 69th minute when his spot-kick struck the right post.