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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Hannah Pinnock

Liverpool's Sadio Mane sends Senegal into AFCON final after dramatic win over Burkina Faso

Senegal have booked their spot in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final, with Sadio Mane both provider and goalscorer on the night in a 3-1 win over Burkina Faso.

Both sides failed to break the deadlock before half-time, but twice Aliou Cisse's side were correctly denied a penalty after VAR interventions.

Two second-half goals in quick succession appeared to seal it for Senegal as Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye fired them in front.

Mane was provider for their second of the night as he did brilliantly to keep the ball alive and send a dangerous low cross into the box that was drilled in by former Everton midfielder Gueye.

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Burkina Faso refused to give up and set up what could have been a tense end to the game, as they reduced the deficit on 82 minutes.

Blati Toure struck an effort past Edouard Mendy, but it wasn't enough for Kamou Malo's men.

Shortly after, a quick counter attack was calmly finished by Mane, effectively securing his nation's spot in Sunday's showpiece.

Senegal last reached the final of the tournament in 2019, but were edged 1-0 by an early goal from Algeria's Baghdad Bounedjah.

Favourites heading into the tournament, they'll hope for a much better result this time around as they prepare to face either Egypt or hosts Cameroon.

Mohamed Salah's side are in action on Thursday against Cameroon, as the Egyptian looks to lead his team to their first AFCON title since 2010.

Should Egypt lose the tie on Thursday night, they'll face Burkina Faso in the match for third place, which takes place on Sunday afternoon.

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