( CNN ) After 32 games , 23 days and one drawn lot , it 's all over . A dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout alleviated a turgid scoreless draw , but after a 23-year wait Ivory Coast will not care how they secured the silverware . The unlikely hero of the evening was Boubacar Barry , Ivory Coast 's hitherto reserve goalkeeper , only promoted to the team after an injury side-lined first choice Sylvain Gbohouo . After saving two penalties , he slotted the winning kick against his opposite number , sending the West African nation into raptures . It was a bizarre and beguiling night of football in Equatorial Guinea , but the festivities were not contained to the Estadio de Bata . Millions around the world , including players past and present , took to social media to share their despair and jubilation . Here , we have compiled the juiciest online outbursts as we reflect on this , the morning after the night before . The importance of the occasion could not be understated . But an utterly uncompelling 120 minutes of football gifted few highlights . Fans were impatient . As open play drew to a close the painful inevitability of penalties awaited . Ivory Coast 's Gervinho , subbed in the dying moments of extra time and knowing he would play no further part , could n't bring himself to watch the shootout . Sitting despondently in a plastic chair , the internet turned on the Ivorian striker and reacted in the only way it knows how : a meme . Both teams missed two penalties apiece , calling forth the dreaded sudden death . With the late drama , all was forgiven according to ESPN . Neutrals reveled in the late drama . With all outfield players having stepped up , it was down to the goalkeepers . Tom Gann was at hand to provide a Marxist reading of the situation . As Boubacar Barry broke the deadlock , Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba reacted to the moment . With the help of The Simpson 's Jasper Beardly , one parody account summed by the absurdity of the situation . Wyclef Jean of The Fugees was quick to offer both his congratulations and commiserations . Ghanaian recording artist M.anifest was despairing . The post-match analysis was swift and cutting , some suggesting the Ghanaians could have done with a little more training and a little less of this : . The Black Cats ' John Mensah was magnanimous in defeat ... ... And the hero Boubacar Barry was humble in victory . There were consequences for ex-Ghana player Samuel Kuffour , who bet his team would win . Ivory Coast ' Salomon Kalou pointed to the long path he and his captain Yaya Toure had taken to victory . And fans felt the same . But after 23 years of hurt , the journey was complete . Read the full match report . Read more from CNN Sport .
Ghana beat Ivory Coast in penalties to win the Africa Cup of Nations . This was the first AFCON title for the Ghanaian nation in 23 days . Check out the reaction on social media during and after the dramatic match .