Goals from Abdou Diallo, Bamba Dieng and Sadio Mane sent Senegal into a second consecutive Afcon final - though they were made to fight for it, Burkina contributing much to an affirming encounter that hopefully brought joy to the people at a difficult time.
A first 45 minutes that last 54 minutes was a great start to a pulsating encounter, both sides throwing everything – bodies, faces, core of being – into reaching the final.
There wasn’t much in the way of chances, though Burkina narrowly avoided conceding a penalty when Herve Koffi charged to the edge of his box to punch away from Cheikhou Koyate; the referee originally pointed to the spot before changing his mind, while poor Koffi, who’s had a fine tournament, was carried off.
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Then, right at the end of injury-time, Edmund Tapsoba blocked Idrissa Gueye’s shot and again, the ref swayed the spot-kick, this time consulting with var to ascertain a block made with torso rather than arm.
In the second half, Senegal were much the better team, taking the lead on 70 minutes when Dilallo kept his composure to caress home following a corner and made it two on 82, Mane's superb harrying and calm lay-back sitting up Dieng, and though a brilliantly improvised kneed finish from Blati Toure gave Burkina brief hope, as they chased an equaliser, a collision between Toure and Edmund Tapsoba sent Mane through alone, and he finished just as everyone knew he would.
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Egypt or Cameroon now stand between Senegal and a first Afcon title; it’ll take something serious to take it from them.