Sport|Africa Cup of NationsIvory Coast meet Egypt in 2025 AFCON quarters after easing by Burkina FasoHolders Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations and now face Egypt in the quarterfinals.

On Mon, Jan 6, 2026, Ivory Coast defeated Burkina Faso 3-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the first defending champions to reach the quarterfinals since 2010. The match took place in Marrakesh.

Amad Diallo scored the opening goal and assisted the second goal by Yan Diomande before half-time. Bazoumana Toure, a substitute, scored the third goal in the closing minutes.

Following this victory, Ivory Coast will face Egypt, the record seven-time champions, in Agadir on Saturday for a place in the semifinals.

Since Egypt's successful title defense in 2010, no other reigning champions have reached the quarterfinals. Previous title holders, including Cameroon, Senegal, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria, were eliminated earlier in the tournament.

The match began with Burkina Faso defender Adamo Nagalo receiving a yellow card for fouling Amad Diallo in the fifth minute. Despite dominating possession, Ivory Coast missed several scoring opportunities until Diallo's goal in the 20th minute. Burkina Faso's appeal for a disallowed goal was rejected following a VAR review.

Diomande extended Ivory Coast's lead on the 32nd minute with a shot that left Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Herve Koffi with no chance. Burkina Faso's Dango Ouattara narrowly missed a goal when his shot hit the post.

Despite tactical changes, Burkina Faso could not capitalize on their efforts. In the 87th minute, Toure scored his second goal in as many matches, sealing the victory for Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast’s forward Bazoumana Toure celebrates scoring the team’s third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against Burkina Faso [Franck Fife/AFP]

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.