Ivory Coast booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a comfortable victory over Burkina Faso in Morocco, led by an influential display from Amad Diallo.
The Manchester United wide player opened the scoring after 20 minutes, forcing his way through defenders before lifting a delicate close-range finish beyond Herve Koffi.
Before the interval, the Elephants doubled their advantage, with Amad turning provider as Yan Diomande bent a precise effort inside the area past a stranded Koffi.
Burkina Faso resistance and goalkeeping moments
Burkina Faso threatened briefly before halftime when Dango Ouattara struck the base of the post from a tight angle, the ball rebounding kindly for goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Soon after the restart, Fofana again denied the Brentford forward with a sharp reflex stop using his right foot, preserving Ivory Coast’s two-goal cushion.
At the other end, Amad was close to adding another when Koffi produced an acrobatic leg save that sent the ball looping onto the crossbar and away.
Late flourish seals progress
With the match under control, Emerse Fae introduced fresh legs, including teenage forward Bazoumana Toure, who made a decisive impact late on.
Touré surged forward from deep inside his own half and finished confidently inside the left post to add a third goal and complete a dominant performance.
The reigning champions now advance to face Egypt, seven-time winners, who overcame Benin 3-1 after extra time, with the quarter-final scheduled for Saturday evening in Agadir.
