Ivory Coast advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, securing a last-eight meeting with Egypt. Amad Diallo delivered a standout display, scoring once and assisting
once, while substitute Bazoumana Toure added a spectacular late goal to confirm the holders’ progress at Stade de Marrakech.
The scoreline grew more secure in the closing stages, just as Burkina Faso pushed forward. Bertrand Traore lost possession near the edge of the Ivory Coast penalty area, and Toure sprinted the length of the pitch before finishing at the near post on 87 minutes, ending any faint hope of a Burkina Faso comeback.
Diallo drove Ivory Coast’s fast start and looked dangerous from the opening minutes. A first free-kick effort flew over, and a second left-footed strike went just wide of the left post. The Manchester United forward finally converted on 20 minutes, lifting a composed finish over Herve Koffi after collecting Evan Guessand’s deflected pass.
Ivory Coast doubled the advantage 12 minutes later, again with Diallo heavily involved in the move. Diallo picked out Yan Diomande inside the area, and Diomande guided a controlled shot beyond Koffi from close range. That second goal gave Ivory Coast a firm grip on the AFCON tie before half-time and forced Burkina Faso to chase the match.
Burkina Faso improved after the interval and created clearer chances as Ivory Coast dropped slightly deeper. The best opening fell to Dango Ouattara, who met a close-range opportunity at the near post. Goalkeeper Yahia Fofana reacted sharply to block the prodded attempt, preserving the two-goal cushion and maintaining control for the AFCON holders.
Diallo remained central to Ivory Coast’s attacking play whenever space appeared. The forward ended the match with a team-high five shots, including three efforts from inside the box. Only Franck Kessie and Diomande, who each produced four key passes, created more chances than Diallo, who supplied two, underlining a complete AFCON performance.
Ivory Coast AFCON data highlights Diallo’s record-equalling feat
Diallo has now scored in all three of his starts at this AFCON, giving a total of three goals. That return makes Diallo the first Ivory Coast player to hit at least three goals in a single Africa Cup of Nations edition since Didier Drogba in 2012, when Drogba also scored three times for the national team.
Diallo also matched another major national landmark with the combined impact of a goal and assist. Diallo became the first Ivorian to both score and set up a goal in an AFCON knockout match since Yaya Toure achieved the same feat in 2012, reinforcing Diallo’s growing importance for Ivory Coast at this tournament.
The overall statistics from the match backed up Ivory Coast’s clear superiority across the AFCON contest. Ivory Coast produced 21 shots and an expected goals figure of 2.02. Burkina Faso managed eight attempts with an xG of 0.41, highlighting the holders’ control as they reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals for the ninth time this century, matching Nigeria’s tally.
