Cameroon have won the Afcon 2021 third-place play-off despite being 3-0 down, they came from behind to beat Burkina Faso on penalties.
Cameroon came back from 3-0 down to tie the game against Burkina Faso before winning the third-place play-off 5-3 on penalties. Vincent Aboubakar scored twice.
Both teams arrived at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde looking to avenge their semi-final losses.
While the Stallions were defeated 3-1 by Senegal, the Indomitable Lions were defeated 3-1 on penalties by Egypt after the scores were tied 0-0 following extra time.
Yago stunned the home crowd by scoring the game’s first goal just 24 minutes into the game. Burkina Faso took a 2-0 lead owing to Onana’s own goal, and Djibril Ouattara made it 3-0 just five minutes into the second half.
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87': ?? 3-3 ??#TeamCameroon stage an incredible comeback and defeat #TeamBurkinaFaso 5-3 on penalties in the third-place play-off.#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/PDmWX1CT2H— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) February 5, 2022
Cameroon’s second-half comeback began late in the game, with a goal by Stéphane Bahoken in the 71st minute.
A goal line tussle allowed the 29-year-old Angers forward to score from close range past goalie Farid Ouedraogo.
The game was then brought back to life by the tournament highest goal score – Vincent Aboubakar, who scored twice in quick sequence.
?? ??????????? ? #TotalEnergiesAFCON | #AFCON2021 | #TeamCameroon | @FecafootOfficie pic.twitter.com/a2SQ6IhrJi
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 ? (@CAF_Online) February 5, 2022
Aboubakar made it two for the Afcon hosts with just five minutes remaining, heading home a Nicolas Ngamaleu corner kick.
The turnaround was accomplished in the dying seconds of the game when the former FC Porto star took full advantage of a blunder by Ouedraogo to squeeze the ball into the net – a finish that drew a standing ovation from the home fans.
Kicks from the penalty spot determined the winner. By blocking Ibrahim Toure’s kick and denying Kamou Malo’s team a chance at a bronze medal, Onana went from villain to hero.
Toni Conceicao’s men staged a spectacular comeback to defeat the Stallions and win the bronze medal at the Afcon 2021.