Burkina Faso produced a stunning late turnaround to defeat Equatorial Guinea in a dramatic Group E encounter at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, scoring two goals deep into stoppage time to seal all three points, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The contest began cautiously, with Equatorial Guinea remaining compact and disciplined in the opening exchanges, frustrating a Burkina Faso side that showed intent but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Machín came closest in the first half with a long-range effort in the 32nd minute that sailed just over the crossbar as the first half ended goalless, with both sides evenly matched.
Burkina Faso stepped up the pressure after the break. Traoré registered the first shot on target in the 46th minute, but it was comfortably saved by Jesús Owono.
Moments later, the match took a decisive turn when Basilio was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a reckless challenge from behind on Traoré, leaving Equatorial Guinea to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.
Despite their numerical advantage, Burkina Faso were initially unable to break through. A strong effort from Dango Ouattara was once again denied by Owono in the 58th minute.
Burkina Faso thought they had finally taken the lead in the 71st minute through substitute Lassina Traoré, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 85th minute, when Anieboh rose highest to head home from a corner and give Equatorial Guinea a shock lead despite being a man down.
However, the drama was far from over. In the 90+5th minute, Minoungou levelled the score with a close range finish past Owono.
Just three minutes later, heartbreak struck for Equatorial Guinea as Burkina Faso grabbed a second stoppage-time goal through Edmond Tapsoba's header, completing a remarkable comeback to snatch victory at the death.
Uche Dozie