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.
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.