Africa Cup of Nations Day 9: Congo, Equatorial Guinea advance from Group A

We have our first two entrants in the knockout stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Group A came to a close on Sunday in Equatorial Guinea, with both matches being played at the same time - as has become customary for the final group matches of major international tournaments.

When the dust simultaneously settled, Congo and hosts Equatorial Guinea were left standing, while Gabon and 2013 finalists Burkina Faso will now be forced to watch the remainder of the tournament, begrudgingly, from their respective couches.

Congo 2, Burkina Faso 1

The first half of this contest at the Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin was just a warm-up exercise. The fun started after the interval.

Thievy Bifouma gave the Congolese the lead, sliding in at the front post to divert a cross home in the 51st minute.

After another lull in the action, fans were treated to a late flurry to close out the match and, ultimately, the group.

Burkina Faso found the net in the 86th minute through Aristide Bance, finally bringing their tournament drought to an end.

But a goal from striker Fabrice Ondama just one minute later ensured that Congo collected all three points, and qualified for the quarterfinal stage as Group A winners.

Equatorial Guinea 2, Gabon 0

The hosts are through, and the streak lives on.

Equatorial Guinea ensured that they did not become the first AFCON host to miss the knockout stages of the tournament since 1994 (Tunisia), defeating Gabon 2-0 and booking a place in the quarterfinals as Group A runners-up.

A penalty from Javier Balboa in the 55th minute put his side ahead, and the home crowd went into euphoria when substitute Iban Edu confirmed the result by adding an insurance marker in the 86th minute.

The result, from a defensive standpoint, continues an encouraging trend for Equatorial Guinea of late:

Can they carry that solidity over into the knockout stages? We're going to find out.

Here are the final standings from Group A: