Gabon 2 Cote D'Ivoire 3 - Elephants come back from two down to win and set up Burkino Faso last-16 clash

TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations / Group Stage
Grand Stade de Marrakech / 31.12.2025
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ELEPHANTS LEAVE IT LATE BUT TOP GROUP F
Côte d'Ivoire battled back from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon and top Group F, setting up a last 16 clash with Burkino Faso.
With the final Group F games being played concurrently, Cameroon beat Mozambique 2-1 in the other clash, but the Côte d'Ivoire top the group on goals scored.
They began the match in sloppy fashion though with an error from Alban Lafont gifting an opener for Guelor Kanga to pounce.
There was no luck involved in their second though as Denis Bouanga curled an unstoppable low shot in the far corner from the edge of the area.
The favourites crucially got a goal back just before the break with Wilfred Zaha setting up Jean-Philippe Krassso to score.
With five minutes remaining, substitute Evann Guessand headed home a corner to level the score and then, in injury time, two other late additions combined with Bazoumana Tourer heading home Amad Diallo's cross.
Cameroon will face South Africa in the last 16, while third-place Mozambique meeting Nigeria.
FULL TIME
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COTE D'IVOIRE TOP GROUP F
It did not look likely when they were two-down and still behind with five minutes to go, but a great late rally got them victory.
90+6'
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COTE D'IVOIRE HAVE BALL IN NET AGAIN
Diallo ran through and squared for Toure to tap in but the linesman felt the Manchester United man was offside. It was very close. He was trying to stay in his own half.
90+1'
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GOAL! GABON 2-3 COTE D'IVOIRE (TOURE)
The Young substituts meets a cross from Diallo at the near post and steers a header wide off the Gabon keeper and into the net.

88'
ATHLETIC EFFORT FROM DIALLO
He made contact with the deep cross with an acrobatic volley but his effort was blocked by Averlant.
85'
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GABON 2-2 COTE D'IVOIRE (GUESSAND)
The Cote D'Ivoire substitute rises unchallenged to meet Diallo's corner and steer a header inside the corner.
E. Guessand
Goal
E. Guessand
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
82'
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COTE D'IVOIRE'S LAST CHANGE
Diomande comes on for Krasso.
79'
DIALLO SHOOTS FROM FREE KICK
But his effort doesn't dip under the crossbar and goes harmlessly over.
78'
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DOUBLE CHANGE FOR GABON
Marcolino and Openda come on. Oyono and Onfia leave proceedings.
J. Do Marcolino
Substitution in
J. Do Marcolino
Gabon
Gabon
J. Oyono
Substitution out
J. Oyono
Gabon
Gabon
76'
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DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION FOR COTE D'IVOIRE
Diallo and Doue come on for Diakite and Zohouri.
A. Diallo
Substitution in
A. Diallo
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
O. Diakité
Substitution out
O. Diakité
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
75'
GUESSAND TRIES TO GET A HEADER ON TARGET
But his effort is blocked.
71'
OULAI SHOOTS FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA
He tries to curl an effort inside the top-right corner but the ball flies a couple of yards over.
69'
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DOUBLE CHANGE FOR COTE D'IVOIRE
Toure and Guessand come on for Kessie and Zaha.
B. Touré
Substitution in
B. Touré
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
F. Kessié
Substitution out
F. Kessié
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
66'
DIAKITE PUTTING HIMSELF IN JEOPARDY
As Lemina was shielding the ball behind for a goal kick, Diakite hacked him down and could easily have seen a second yellow card.
63'
COTE D'IVOIRE NOT PRODUCING QUALITY SINCE BREAK
They created a number of chances before half time but have showed little indication of doing so since then.
61'
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ANOTHER CHANCE FOR GABON
This time Averlant had the opportunity after he was played in by Kanga but, leaning back, he shot over the bar.
60'
CAMEROON IN FRONT
Kofane has put them in front of Mozambique, a match where they fell behind early. Cote D'Ivoire will finish second whether they draw or lose. Only a victory can put them top.
57'
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GREAT CHANCE FOR LOUFILOU
Averlant got to the by-line and pulled the ball across to the back post but the half-time substitute shot a yard or so high and wide of the upright.
54'
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DIAKITE BRINGS DOWN KANGA
And the referee brandishes another yellow card.
O. Diakité
Yellow card
O. Diakité
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
49'
COTE D'IVOIRE PUTTING ON MOST OF THE EARLY PRESSURE