In one of the most thrilling matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso staged an extraordinary comeback to defeat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 on Christmas Eve in Casablanca, leaving fans breathless with a late-game twist that epitomised the drama of AFCON.
Hosted at the iconic Mohammed V Stadium, the Group E contest looked destined for a shock result as Equatorial Guinea took the lead late in normal time — despite playing the second half with ten men after a 50th-minute red card to Basilio Ndong.
Underdogs Strike First
Equatorial Guinea capitalised on a rare chance in the 85th minute when substitute Marvin Anieboh rose highest to head his team into a surprising lead.
The goal stunned the heavily favoured Stallions and seemed to reward the ten-man side’s dogged defending deep into the closing stages.
Stallions Rally in Stoppage Time
Rather than fold under pressure, Burkina Faso mounted a remarkable response in added time:
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Georgi Minoungou — introduced as a late substitute — scrambled home the equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations among the Burkina Faso supporters.
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Just three minutes later, Edmond Tapsoba, the national team captain and centre-back, rose to head home the winner with virtually the last kick of the match, completing an extraordinary turnaround.
The sequence — two goals deep into injury time — demonstrated remarkable resilience and belief from the Burkinabé side, turning what looked to be a near-certain defeat into a statement victory.
Match Dynamics
Burkina Faso had dominated possession throughout much of the game and peppered the Equatorial Guinea goal with shots, but were unable to convert their territorial advantage into a lead until the dramatic finale.
Equatorial Guinea’s disciplined defence and tactical organisation frustrated the Stallions for long spells, and their late goal appeared to seal a famous upset.
However, the Stallions’ relentless pressure finally paid off, underlining their ambition in the tournament’s early stages.
What It Means for the Group
The result boosts Burkina Faso’s hopes of progressing from Group E, leaving them top of the table after the opening round of fixtures and setting a positive tone for the rest of their campaign.
Equatorial Guinea, despite their strong effort and early lead, will rue their missed opportunity but can take pride in their performance against a traditionally stronger side.
Key Performers
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Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso): Heroic winner in stoppage time.
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Georgi Minoungou (Burkina Faso): Sparked the comeback with the equaliser.
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Marvin Anieboh (Equatorial Guinea): Headed the late opener and threatened an upset.
This result exemplified AFCON magic — a late resurgence from the Stallions that added to the tournament’s growing reputation for drama and unpredictability.
As Group E unfolds, both teams will look to build on this captivating opener.
