Ivory Coast, the defending champions, advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals after beating Burkina Faso 3-0 in Marrakesh on Tuesday; Amad Diallo impressed again.
The Elephants, AFCON champions in 2024, will play Egypt and Mohamed Salah in Agadir on Saturday, becoming the first AFCON champions since 2010 to win a knockout game in their title defence.
After netting two goals in the group stage, Manchester United’s Amad scored again, expertly chipping the Burkina Faso goalkeeper after 20 minutes; he then helped set up Yan Diomande 12 minutes later, allowing the Ivorians to lead by a lot at halftime.
Burkina Faso’s comeback attempt in the second half was unsuccessful, as Bazoumana Touré scored the final goal in the 87th minute.
Elephants began the match strongly, and Amad’s skill was too much for Adamo Nagalo, who was booked for a foul in the fifth minute. Shortly after, the wideman’s shot was saved by Hervé Koffi, who tipped it onto the post.
Captain Franck Kessié then missed two opportunities to score, failing to connect with a cross and sending a shot over the bar, but it seemed inevitable that the Elephants would eventually score.
Amad scored in the 20th minute, weaving through defenders after Guessand won the ball, then lofting it over Koffi. VAR reviewed the play for a potential foul by Guessand before the goal, but the goal was good, and the Elephants scored first.
Burkina Faso tried to slow things down, but Amad’s run caused problems, and Diomande scored, making it 2-0 at 32 minutes.
The Stallions were looking to get back into the game when Dango Ouattara hit the post with a low shot before the break, but Ivory Coast almost scored again after the restart, with Guela Doué’s flick from Amad’s free kick going over the bar.
Toure scored late after a run from his own half; Koffi couldn’t stop it. The teenager also scored in the group-stage comeback win against Gabon, becoming another breakout star at this Nations Cup.
As their title defence continues, Ivory Coast will meet Egypt in Agadir on Jan. 10; Egypt hasn’t been eliminated in the quarterfinals since 2002.
