Ivory Coast took control in the first period and never gave it back. Superior in Burkina Faso, the Elephants return to the quarterfinals and can still dream of a double in the African Cup of Nations.
A clear favorite, the Ivory Coasttitle holder and who seemed capable of great things once again. An intriguing outsider, the Burkina Fasowho had won two group matches and still seemed to have something under his belt. Who would join Egypt and complete the quarter-final table of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?
Very quickly, the Elephants took the game into their own hands, putting their rivals on the back foot, which caused the quick yellow of Much Food (5th), guilty of a big foul on Amad Diallothe most restless Ivorian. His team multiplied the crosses, confiscating the ball, but without success, despite a good strike from Franck Kessie just above (15th).
The Stallions were cornered, raised poorly, and we wondered how long they would last. Hervé Koffi multiplied the number of exits with his fist to put out the fires, but he was not going to be able to do anything when Amad Diallotaking advantage of a nice discountEvann Guessandused his technique in the area to open the scoring (21st), a well-deserved goal.
A goal which above all allowed Ivory Coast to establish its domination. Yan Diomande almost doubled the lead on a too-cross shot (31st), but was rewarded a minute later, at the end of a magnificent collective action magnified by Kessiewhich will allow the Leipzig player to double the stake with a strike which left KOFFI OLOMIDE stunned.
Merciless, the Elephants were too empty for the Stallions, who tried to short-circuit this domination via a narrow angle shot from Dango Ouattarawho found the post (40th). A flash in the storm, because Ivory Coast had the situation well in hand at the break (2-0), and it was hard to see the situation reversing.
The Elephant Walk
The Stallions, however, were not going to surrender so easily, and tried to interfere in the Ivorian camp at the restart, hoping to take advantage of some changes. However, they took time to create real chances, but when Cyriaque Irie finally found the frame, Yahia Fofana had to be used (60th). This, however, marked a good success for the Burkinabés, but success was not there.
And on yet another percussion of Diomandé, Evann Guessand almost killed the match for good (69th). The Ivorians then dropped the rhythm, proceeding against, and on one of them, Amad Diallo was found in full irons, but stumbled upon a Hervé Koffi which maintained a spark of hope in the Stallions camp (76th).
But it was only a spark, and it was not followed by a conflagration. The Ivorians mastered their subject, and would finally end the suspense for good on a ride to the left signed Bazoumana Tourewho followed through with his idea and concluded with a shot near the post (87th). Mass was said. Côte d’Ivoire therefore wins 3-0 and will face Egypt in the quarter-finals. With strong hopes of achieving the double…
