Amad Diallo scored one goal and created another to continue his excellent form in Morocco as defending champions Ivory Coast eased past Burkina Faso 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 fixture in Marrakech.
The Ivorians will face record seven-time winners Egypt in a heavyweight quarter-final in Agadir on Saturday, a colossal clash that is a repeat of the 2006 decider where the North African side triumphed on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure were also on target for coach Emerse Fae’s team as they dominated the contest against an out-gunned Burkinabe and might have won by a greater margin but for some excellent goalkeeping from Herve Koffi.
Diallo, 23, will go back to a new manager at Manchester United after the finals in Morocco having been one of the stand-out players at the tournament so far with three goals and an assist, driving the Ivorians’ impressive title defence.
Algeria substitute Adil Boulbina (above) slammed home a last-gasp winner a minute from the end of extra time to see his side overcome the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0.
Just as the round-of-16 tie was headed to a penalty shootout, Boulbina cut in off the left wing before unleashing a dipping shot that flew in, clipping the underside of the crossbar on the way in.
It was as much as the more enterprising Algerians deserved, having created more opportunities throughout the toughly contested encounter.
Algeria will now be up against Nigeria in their quarter-final tie in Marrakesh on Saturday.