Amad Diallo played a pivotal role in Côte d’Ivoire’s dominant 3-0 victory against Burkina Faso in the last-16 stage of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Marrakech on Tuesday. With this decisive win, the defending champions have set the stage for a highly anticipated quarter-final matchup against Egypt this coming Saturday in Agadir.
The match saw Diallo not only score a goal but also assist in another, showcasing his impressive form throughout the tournament. This performance adds to his tally of three goals and one assist, marking him as one of the standout players in Morocco.
The Ivorians opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Diallo executed a remarkable solo run, maneuvering past three defenders before a fortunate deflection allowed him to lift the ball over the opposing goalkeeper and into the net. Just twelve minutes later, Diallo turned creator, delivering a low cross from the right wing that was strategically left by Franck Kessié, allowing Yan Diomande to slot the ball home from 18 yards out.
Despite a brief scare when Dango Ouattara’s shot struck the post for Burkina Faso, the match remained firmly in Côte d’Ivoire’s control. As the final minutes approached, Bazoumana Touré added a third goal, slipping the ball into the near post after breaking away on the left side of the box.
In an earlier match, Algeria secured a spot in the quarter-finals by defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 thanks to a last-minute goal from substitute Adil Boulbina. This victory came just as the match seemed destined for penalties, with Boulbina’s shot clipping the underside of the crossbar before settling into the net.
Algeria’s performance was characterized by their early dominance, with several close calls that kept the Congolese defense on high alert. Despite minimal contributions from captain Riyad Mahrez, Algeria maintained pressure throughout the match, ultimately leading to Boulbina’s decisive strike.
With both Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria advancing, fans can look forward to thrilling quarter-final clashes, with Côte d’Ivoire aiming to reclaim their title against the seven-time champions Egypt.
