Ivory Coast Stay on Course for Title Defence with 3-0 Win over Burkina Faso
The reigning champions, Ivory Coast, kept their dream of a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title alive with a commanding 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Round of 16 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. In a high-stakes West African derby, the “Elephants” demonstrated the clinical efficiency that has made them one of the favourites in AFCON 2025.
From the very first whistle, Ivory Coast controlled the tempo, using their quality in midfield to dominate possession. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Manchester United star Amad Diallo found space in the box and fired a precise shot past the Burkinabé goalkeeper. A brief VAR review for a potential foul in the buildup did not affect the goal, which set the tone for the rest of the half.
Burkina Faso, known for their resilience, struggled to break down a disciplined Ivorian defence led by Evan Ndicka. Their best chance came just before halftime when Dango Ouattara rattled the woodwork with a powerful strike, a reminder that the champions’ lead was not entirely secure.
The second half saw the Elephants put the game beyond doubt. In the 54th minute, Yan Diomandé produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving past Burkina Faso’s defence to double the lead. With a two-goal cushion, coach Emerse Faé’s side managed the game smartly, shutting down any hopes of a comeback. The win was sealed in the 87th minute when Bazoumana Touré scored the third goal.
With this victory, Ivory Coast now advance to the quarter-finals to face Egypt, promising another classic AFCON showdown. For Burkina Faso, the tournament ends with a sense of “what if,” but for Ivory Coast, the dream of a fourth continental star remains alive.
