AFCON, Senegal beat Burkina Faso to reach final: Records broken
Senegal have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after beating Burkina Faso 3-1 in the semis. Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gueye, and Sadio Mane scored for Senegal with Blati Toure getting a goal in between for Burkina Faso. Senegal will now face Egypt or hosts Cameroon in Sunday's final. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso will take part in the third/fourth-place play-off. Here are further details.
Senegal overcome Burkina Faso 3-1
In an eventful encounter, VAR chalked off two Senegal penalties. The match also saw Burkina Faso goal-keeper Herve Koffi get injured during the first penalty event. After a goalless first half, Senegal broke the deadlock in the 70th minute through Diallo. Gueye scored for Senegal six minutes later. Toure narrowed the deficit before Mane sealed the deal for Senegal.
It shows you the momentum we have: Mane
Liverpool forward Mane highlighted the momentum of his side. "It shows you the momentum we have," said Mane after Senegal's win. "We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get to two straight Afcon finals, but the most important for us now is to go all the way and win it, whoever we come up against," he added.
Notable feats for Mane and Gueye
Playing his 86th match for Senegal, Mane has raced to 29 goals. He is now the joint-top scorer for the nation alongside Henry Camara (29 in 99 matches). Meanwhile, Gueye, who became the second player to play 90-plus games for Senegal, scored his seventh goal.
Senegal reach third AFCON final
Senegal, who are yet to win the AFCON, have reached their third final. They had earlier reached the final in 2002 and 2019 respectively. Meanwhile, 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso will aim for their second third-placed finish in the tourney (also in 2017).
