Mali secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso. The goals for Mali came early in both halves, with an Edmond Tapsoba own goal and a strike from Lassine Sinayoko. Bertrand Traore’s penalty for Burkina Faso reduced the deficit, but a late equaliser was disallowed due to offside.
Mali’s Amadou Haidara played a crucial role in the opening goal, delivering a fine cross that met his perfectly timed run, resulting in a header that hit the post and was inadvertently turned in by Burkina Faso’s Tapsoba. Mali continued to dominate and tested Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper, Herve Koffi, multiple times.
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In the second half, a failed offside trap allowed Sinayoko to score, doubling Mali’s lead. Bertrand Traore brought Burkina Faso back into the game with a penalty after VAR detected a handball from Kiki Kouyate in the box.
Despite Burkina Faso’s efforts, a late goal from Issoufou Dayo was disallowed for offside, securing Mali’s victory and setting up a quarterfinal clash with host nation Ivory Coast.