AFCON 2025: All square as Cameroon, Ivory Coast cancel each other in high-intensity drama

This is what we have all been waiting for! Football champagne.

Spectacle. Intensity and lots of unforgettable moments...

Precisely what we saw as the Ivory Coast and Cameroon were tied at one after more than 90 minutes of high-intense football (1-1) in the AFCON 2025 Group F derby.

After a slow and cautious start from both African heavyweights in the first half, there was a sensational shift of gear the moment the second period started.

The Indomitable Lions were furious off the starting block, hitting the woodwork twice in the space of just a few minutes.

All they lacked at those moments was a tad bit of luck, as Ivorian keeper Fofana was nowhere near the ball on those occasions, with Bryan Mbeumo and his Lions putting enormous pressure on the rival's defensive block.

The response? Almost immediate and lethal - served by none other than Mbeumo's Manchester United teammate, Amad Diallo.

He did not need luck; it was Diallo's superb and accurate finishing that made all the difference as he launched an unstoppable missile into the far corner to break the deadlock, 0-1.

Before the start of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Amad Diallo had just two goals to his name in the Elephants' shirt - it took him just two opening games in Morocco to score two more!

As a matter of fact, Diallo's two goals are the only ones that the Ivory Coast has so far. And they are worth as many as four points.

Still, it was far from over, and the Elephants did not allow themselves to succumb to despair after conceding that one.

On the contrary, they fought back instantly and were rewarded for that!

Just five minutes after the opener, Junior Tchamadeu fired from a not-so-promising position, but the ball deflected off the Ivorian defender Konan and went over this time unlucky Fofana for an equaliser, 1-1.

The thrill was palpable, both on the pitch and in the stands, where Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jules Kounde were visibly amazed with the performance of the two teams.

They probably expected to see at least one or two more goals, but the game's importance, with so much at stake, resulted in a slightly more cautious approach in the last half hour, thus postponing the decision for the ultimate round.

From a neutral point of view, it was a deserved 1-1 draw.

Interestingly, all four teams have something to play for in the final 90 minutes: Cameroon and Ivory Coast are tied at the top with four points, Mozambique are close with three, while only Gabon have 0 to their name, but a theoretical chance to progress to the next round if they miraculously stomp the Elephants.

Now, the real deal begins...

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Friday

Angola - Zimbabwe 1-1 (1-1)

/Dala 24 - Musona 45+6/

Egypt - South Africa 1-0 (1-0)

/Salah 45 pen/

Zambia - Comoros 0-0

Morocco - Mali 1-1 (1-0)

/Diaz 45+5 pen - Sinayoko 64 pen/

Saturday

Benin - Botswana 1-0 (1-0)

/Roche 28/

Senegal - DR Congo 1-1 (0-0)

/Mane 69 - Bakambu 61/

Uganda - Tanzania 1-1 (0-0)

/Ikpeazu 80 - Msuva 59 pen/

Nigeria - Tunis 3-2 (1-0)

/Osimhen 44, Ndidi 50, Lookman 67 - Talbi 74, Abdi 87 pen/

Sunday

Gabon - Mozambique 2-3 (1-2)

/Aubameyang 45+5, Moucketou-Moussounda 76 - Bangal 37, Catamo 42 pen, Calila 52/

Equatorial Guinea - Sudan 0-1 (0-0)

/Coco 74 og/

Algeria - Burkina Faso 1-0 (1-0)

/Mahrez 23 pen/