Ivory Coast confirmed their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals after a commanding 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the round of 16. The win makes them the first defending champions to reach the quarterfinals since 2010, setting up an exciting matchup against record seven-time winners Egypt.

Amad Diallo Shines as Ivory Coast Dominates Burkina Faso

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the star of the show, scoring the opening goal and setting up the second for Yan Diomande. Diallo’s pace, skill, and vision proved too much for Burkina Faso’s defense in Marrakesh. Substitute Bazoumana Toure added a late third goal to seal the victory, demonstrating Ivory Coast’s depth and attacking prowess.

The team’s captain, Franck Kessie, also made an impact, almost scoring with a powerful strike that tested Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Herve Koffi. Despite early physical challenges from Burkina Faso defenders, the Ivorians maintained control throughout the match.

Match Highlights: Key Moments

• 20th Minute: Diallo broke through multiple defenders to score the opening goal. A VAR review dismissed Burkina Faso’s claim that Diallo was fouled, confirming the goal.
• 32nd Minute: Diallo assisted Yan Diomande with a perfectly timed pass across the box, allowing the young forward to curl the ball into the net.
• 87th Minute: Bazoumana Toure capped off the victory, running from his own half to score past Koffi, marking his second goal in as many matches.

Burkina Faso had few clear opportunities, with Brentford’s Dango Ouattara hitting the post and Sunderland’s Bertrand Traore entering the match later to attempt a late impact. Yet, Ivory Coast’s defense and goalkeeper Yahia Fofana ensured the victory remained secure.

Road to the Quarterfinals

With this win, Ivory Coast will travel to Agadir, Morocco, to face Egypt for a place in the semifinals. Egypt remains the most successful team in AFCON history, with seven titles, and the matchup promises to be highly competitive.

Historically, defending champions have struggled to reach the later stages of the tournament. Since Egypt successfully defended the title in Angola 16 years ago, no reigning champions have made it past the round of 16. Teams like Cameroon, Senegal, Zambia, Algeria, and even Egypt and Nigeria themselves have either exited early or failed to qualify.

Player Performances and Tactical Analysis

Amad Diallo’s ability to both score and create goals was the key factor in Ivory Coast’s triumph. The team maintained possession dominance, while Burkina Faso’s efforts were largely limited to counterattacks. Tactical substitutions by coach Brama Traore were unable to turn the tide, highlighting the effectiveness of Ivory Coast’s game plan.

Defensively, Ivory Coast remained disciplined, neutralizing Burkina Faso’s attempts and ensuring that goalkeeper Yahia Fofana had minimal threats to manage. The combination of youth and experience in the squad gives Ivory Coast a solid foundation heading into the quarterfinals.

What’s Next: Ivory Coast vs Egypt

The upcoming quarterfinal against Egypt will test Ivory Coast’s championship credentials. Egypt, with a record seven AFCON titles, is renowned for its tactical discipline and experienced squad. Analysts predict a tightly contested match, with Ivory Coast needing precision attacking play and solid defensive organization to advance to the semifinals.

A victory would keep Ivory Coast on track to defend their AFCON 2025 title, while a defeat would end their hopes of consecutive championships.