The match, held at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on January 6, 2026, proved that the "Elephants" have found their rhythm at exactly the right time. Led by a masterclass from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, the Ivorians sent a clear message to the rest of the continent: the trophy stays in Abidjan.
Match Highlights: The Amad Diallo Show
From the opening whistle, Côte d’Ivoire looked a class above. Burkina Faso, usually known for their defensive discipline, struggled to contain the flair and speed of the Ivorian frontline.
• 20th Minute: The deadlock was broken by Amad Diallo. After dancing through three defenders, a slight deflection helped his effort loop over the goalkeeper, Herve Koffi, and into the roof of the net.
• 32nd Minute: Diallo turned provider, sliding a perfect square ball across the box. After a clever dummy by captain Franck Kessié, Yan Diomande swept the ball home from 18 yards to make it 2-0.
• 87th Minute: With the Stallions pushing high for a consolation goal, 19-year-old substitute Bazoumana Touré produced a moment of individual magic. He dispossessed Bertrand Traoré in his own half and ran nearly 60 yards before slotting a "no-look" finish past Koffi to seal the 3-0 rout.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Action | Impact |
| Amad Diallo | 1 Goal, 1 Assist | Controlled the tempo; now has 3 goals in 3 starts. |
| Yan Diomande | 1 Goal | Proved the depth of the Ivorian youth movement. |
| Bazoumana Touré | 1 Goal | His solo run is already being called the "Goal of the Tournament." |
| Yahia Fofana | Clean Sheet | Made a crucial near-post save against Dango Ouattara. |
What’s Next? A Date With Destiny
This victory sets the stage for the biggest game of the tournament so far. Côte d’Ivoire will now face Egypt in the quarter-finals this Saturday in Agadir.
This is a high-stakes rematch of the 2006 final—a game many Ivorian fans still remember for its heartbreaking penalty shootout loss. With Mohamed Salah’s Egypt standing in their way, the Elephants will need to maintain this "unstoppable" form to reach the semi-finals.
"There is a real connection between us on the field. No one is trying to be the hero individually," said Amad Diallo after the match.