AFCON 2025: Elephants trample subpar Stallions behind Diallo's stellar performance

The Elephants are in the quarter-finals! Easier than expected, the reigning champions brushed aside Burkina Faso (3-0), which threw the entire first half out the window and, in general, put in a rather lacklustre display, allowing the rivals to seal the deal even before the break.

The opening 45 minutes were the key part of the clash, as the Ivorians established a total dominance on the pitch, which brought them two goals. Amad Diallo first broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and then, 12 minutes later, set up a goal for Yan Diomande.

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After earning a comfortable lead, the Elephants had a much easier task. The Stallions stepped up their game after the break and threatened a few times over Dango Outtara, but, all in all, were far from the necessary level to knock the Ivory Coast out and advance to the quarter-finals.

The Elephants' sub Bazoumana Toure made it 3-0 in the 87th minute, putting a cherry on top of the Ivorians' triumph.

Reigning champions of Africa knew what they wanted from the start of the match, putting immense pressure on the uninspired rivals. Emerse Fae's men took the game under their control from the beginning, and their three attempts in the opening quarter of an hour - Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie's - indicated their dominance.

Burkina Faso held out until the 20th minute, when the Man United winger made a terrific solo run through the rivals' box and ruthlessly smashed the ball into the net, putting his team in front.

Even the opener didn't wake up the Stallions, which continued with their subpar performance, and the Elephants knew how to punish them.

In the 32nd minute, Diallo crossed the ball into the area, Kessie skipped it, leaving it to Yan Diomande, who found the net without a hitch, doubling the Ivory Coast's lead.

Not only did the Ivorians create chances more easily, but the Stallions seemed absolutely clueless. Their only decent effort came after Dango Outtara's solo run, when Brentford winger hit the post.

The fact that Burkina Faso boss Brama Traore made his first substitution after only 42 minutes clearly showed how dissatisfied and disappointed he was.

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After the break, the Stallions raised their level of play, though the Elephants weren't that offence-oriented, as they had already had a comfortable lead. Still, Outtara's colossal chance at the hour mark, which Yahia Fofana stopped, reminded Fae's men that the deal wasn't sealed and that they had to remain serious until the end.

Brama Traore tried to turn the tables by subbing on the captain Bertrand Traore in the final 20 minutes, but the clock was ticking and his team had little time to bounce back.

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A quarter of an hour before the end, Diallo could have completed a brace and put a cherry on top of his team's triumph, but Herve Koffi superbly saved his strike with his leg after a hasty counter the Ivorians initiated.

That counter did not bring benefit, but the one in the 87th minute did, as the sub Bazoumana Toure made it 3-0, confirming his team's stellar night.

All in all, the defending champions left a fantastic impression, but they'll have to be at the same level in the quarter-finals as well, given that they'll face mighty Egypt led by Mohamed Salah.

AFCON 2025 - ROUND OF 16

Saturday

Senegal - Sudan 3-1 (2-1)

/Gueye 29, 45+3, Mbaye 77 - Abdallah 6/

Mali - Tunisia 1-1 (3-2 after penalties)

/Sinayoko 90+6 pen - Chaouat 88/

Sunday

Morocco - Tanzania 1-0 (0-0)

/Diaz 64/

South Africa - Cameroon 1-2 (0-1)

/Makgopa 88 - Tchamadeu 34, Kofane 47/

Monday

Egypt - Benin 3-1 a.e.t. (1-1)

/Attia 69, Ibrahim 97, Salah 120+4 - Dossou 83/

Nigeria - Mozambique 4-0 (2-0)

/Lookman 20, Osimhen 25, 47, Adams 75/

Tuesday

Algeria - DR Congo 1-0 a.e.t. (0-0)

/Boulbina 119/

Ivory Coast - Burkina Faso 3-0 (2-0)

/Diallo 20, Diomande Y. 32, Toure 87/