Holders Ivory Coast topple Burkina Faso to ease into AFCON quarterfinals

Manchester United winger Amad opening the scoring in the first half before providing an assist for Yan Diomande to double the Elephants' lead.

Bazoumana Toure then sealed the contest late on as Ivory Coast continue to mount a strong challenge to hold onto the title they won at home.

The holders started the contest strongly and Amad went close to finding the opener but curled his effort wide.

The was just a warning sign as Ivory Coast took the lead after 20 minutes when Amad picked up a loose ball just inside the box and produced a cool, dinked finish past goalkeeper Herve Koffi.

Twelve minutes later Amad laid on the second for Diomande, who sent a curling finish past the wrongfooted Koffi.

The Stallions almost pulled a goal back but Dango Ouattara's effort from a narrow angle hit the base of the left-hand upright.

Ouattara came close again just after the hour mark but Ivory Coast shot-stopper Yahia Fofana made a smart reaction save to deny the Brentford forward.

The game was eventually settled three minutes from full-time Toure struck with a superb solo goal, racing forward from midway inside his own half and beating Koffi.

The Eeleohanta will now gear up up for a last clash against Algeria, who had earlier won 1-0 against DR Congo.

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