Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea Match Report, Goals, VAR Drama & Full-Time Summary
Burkina Faso produced a thrilling late comeback to defeat Equatorial Guinea 2–1 in an action-packed encounter that featured VAR drama, a red card, and two stoppage-time goals.
What looked like a famous away victory for Equatorial Guinea was turned on its head in the dying minutes as the Stallions showed grit, determination, and attacking intent until the final whistle.
First Half: Cagey Start with Few Clear Chances
The match kicked off with both sides showing caution in the early minutes. Burkina Faso enjoyed more possession, probing patiently through Bertrand Traoré and Dango Ouattara, while Equatorial Guinea relied on quick transitions and long balls.
Clear-cut chances were rare in the opening 45 minutes. Bertrand Traoré tested the goalkeeper with a low effort, while Pierre Kabore narrowly missed the target with a header from close range. Equatorial Guinea’s Luis Asue also tried his luck from distance but failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Several fouls disrupted the flow of the game, and yellow cards were shown as both teams battled physically in midfield. The first half eventually ended goalless, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Half-time score: Burkina Faso 0–0 Equatorial Guinea
Second Half: VAR Drama and Red Card Change the Game
The turning point of the match came shortly after the restart. Equatorial Guinea’s Basilio Ndong was initially shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge, but after a VAR review, the referee upgraded the punishment to a straight red card, leaving Equatorial Guinea with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Buoyed by the numerical advantage, Burkina Faso increased the tempo. Substitutions by coach Brama Traoré injected fresh energy, and the pressure began to mount on the Equatorial Guinea defence.
In the 71st minute, Burkina Faso thought they had taken the lead through Lassina Traoré, but celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the goal offside.
Late Goals and Stunning Finish
Despite being down to ten men, Equatorial Guinea struck first in the 85th minute. From a corner kick delivered by Carlos Akapo, Marvin Anieboh rose unmarked to power a header into the top corner, giving the visitors a shock 1–0 lead.
Just when it seemed Equatorial Guinea would hold on, Burkina Faso responded dramatically in stoppage time.
In the 90+5th minute, Georgi Minoungou latched onto a precise pass inside the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1–1, sending the home fans into celebration.
Moments later, in the 90+8th minute, Burkina Faso completed the comeback. Edmond Tapsoba reacted quickest to a rebound inside the six-yard box and headed the ball past the goalkeeper, sealing a dramatic 2–1 victory.
The referee blew for full time shortly after, confirming an unforgettable late turnaround.
Full-Time Score
Burkina Faso 2–1 Equatorial Guinea
⚽ Minoungou (90+5’), Tapsoba (90+8’)
⚽ Anieboh (85’)
Match Highlights at a Glance
- VAR overturns yellow card to red for Equatorial Guinea
- Burkina Faso goal disallowed for offside
- Equatorial Guinea score with 10 men
- Two Burkina Faso goals in stoppage time
- Edmond Tapsoba nets dramatic winner
This match will be remembered for its extraordinary finish. Burkina Faso’s persistence paid off as they refused to give up, while Equatorial Guinea will rue missed chances and defensive lapses in the final minutes. The encounter showcased the unpredictable beauty of football, proving once again that no game is over until the final whistle.
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