The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 delivered instant drama as Burkina Faso pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat Equatorial Guinea 2–1 in the opening match of the day. What looked set to become one of the tournament’s first major upsets instead turned into a painful lesson in game management.

Despite playing the entire second half with ten men, Equatorial Guinea showed remarkable resilience and even took the lead in the 85th minute, sending shockwaves through the stadium. For a brief moment, history seemed within touching distance.

But knockout-level drama arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, Minungu struck from close range, ruthlessly punishing a defensive lapse to restore parity. With momentum firmly on their side, Burkina Faso pressed on — and were rewarded almost immediately.

The decisive moment came when Tapsoba reacted quickest inside the box, heading home after uncertain goalkeeping to complete a remarkable turnaround and secure all three points for Burkina Faso.

There was also a notable subplot involving Lassina Traore. The Shakhtar Donetsk forward was introduced in the second half and appeared to make an instant impact by scoring, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for offside.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Burkina Faso - Equatorial Guinea 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Anieboh, 85 (0:1); Minoungou, 95 (1:1); Tapsoba E., 98 (2:1)

Burkina Faso: Koffi; Tapsoba E.; Dayo; Yago (Irié, 89); Kouassi A.; Ouédraogo Ism. (Simporé, 70); Sangaré G. (Aziz Ki, 70); Touré I. B.; Traore B. (Minoungou, 79); Kabore P. L. (Traoré Las., 70); Ouattara Da.
Substitution: Simporé (from 70); Aziz Ki (from 70); Traoré Las. (from 70); Minoungou (from 79); Irié (from 89)
Bench: Ouedraogo S.; Nikiema K.; Ayindé; Nagalo; Djiga; Kaboré I.; Badolo
Yellow Cards: Ouédraogo Ism. 32

Equatorial Guinea: Owono; Ndong B. (till 50); Akapo C.; Coco S.; Obiang E.; Mascarell; Salvador (Eneme S., 68); Machín J. (Buyla J., 67); Ganet (Anieboh, 82); Asué (Ondo, 53); Zúñiga (Hanza D. Jr, 82)
Substitution: Ondo (from 53); Buyla J. (from 67); Eneme S. (from 68); Anieboh (from 82); Hanza D. Jr (from 82)
Bench: Sapunga; Senra; Nsue E.; Balboa; Obiang P.; Nabil
Yellow Cards: Salvador 67
Red cards: Ndong B. 50'