Manchester United winger Amad Diallo delivered a
standout performance as defending champions Ivory Coast cruised to a 3-0
victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday, becoming the first AFCON title holders to
reach the quarter-finals since Egypt achieved the feat in 2010.
Diallo opened the scoring and later set up the second
goal for Yan Diomande before half-time, as the Ivorians dominated proceedings
at the Grand Stadium in Marrakesh. Substitute Bazoumana Toure sealed the
emphatic win late in the game.
The victory sends Ivory Coast into the quarter-finals,
where they will face record seven-time champions Egypt on Saturday in Agadir.
Since Egypt successfully defended their title in
Angola 16 years ago, reigning champions have struggled at the tournament.
Cameroon and Senegal exited at the round-of-16 stage, while Zambia, Ivory Coast
and Algeria previously failed to progress beyond the group phase. Egypt and
Nigeria also missed qualification in recent editions.
Ivory Coast set the tone early, with Burkina Faso
defender Adamo Nagalo booked in the fifth minute for fouling Diallo. The winger
failed to capitalise from the resulting free-kick, but it was an early warning
of what was to come.
The Elephants controlled possession, and captain
Franck Kessie went close before the breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute.
Diallo powered through several challenges before firing past goalkeeper Herve
Koffi. Burkina Faso appealed for a foul in the build-up, but a VAR review
upheld the goal.
Ivory Coast doubled their lead in the 32nd minute,
with Diallo turning provider. He squared the ball across the box for
19-year-old Diomande, whose beautifully curled effort left Koffi with no
chance.
Burkina Faso almost pulled one back shortly before the
break when Brentford forward Dango Ouattara struck the base of the post after
cutting in from the right, but goalkeeper Yahia Fofana reacted quickly to
gather the rebound.
The Burkinabe showed more urgency after the interval
and came close on the hour mark when Ouattara met a low cross, only for Fofana
to make a sharp save at his near post.
Despite the improved second-half display from Burkina
Faso, Ivory Coast remained dangerous on the counter. Diallo nearly added his
second goal, but Koffi blocked his close-range effort.
Substitute Bazoumana Toure put the result beyond doubt
in the 87th minute, sprinting from his own half before smashing the ball into
the net to cap an impressive performance by the defending champions.
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