Burkina Faso offered the possibility of a grandstand finish to Group A at the Africa Nations Cup but in the end exited the tournament in the same meek fashion as they started it.
Much had been expected of the team that finished runners-up two years ago in South Africa and still had its key personnel in place, but a 2-1 loss to Congo in their last group game in Ebibeyin meant they finished last in the group, embarrassingly behind tiny hosts Equatorial Guinea.
Burkina Faso had to win the game against Congo, after collecting just one point from their first two games, but fell behind to Thievy Bifouma's 51st minute goal.
Three attacking changes saw them attempt to stay in the tournament and they finally got their first goal of the tournament after more than four hours of football when Aristide Bance scored with four minutes to go.
But instead of setting up a thrilling final spell of play they contrived to throw it all away again and depart in limp fashion.
Less than a minute after Bance's equaliser, an error by Burkina Faso goalkeeper Germain Sanou allowed Fabrice Ondama to net the winner and take Congo into the last eight.
It is another triumph for Congo coach Claude LeRoy, who is in his eighth Nations Cup finals and has now advanced to the quarter-final stage in seven of those, missing out only in South Africa two years ago with DR Congo.
After a goalless first half that offered little in the way of excitement, it was Congo who took the lead.
Fode Dore beat the offside trap and his low cross from the right was turned home by Bifouma to net his second of the competition.
Burkina Faso fought themselves level when Bance was picked out by Issaka Ouedraogo, but rather than having the momentum of the match go their way, a goalkeeping blunder put Congo back in the driving seat.
Sanou tried to punch the ball clear, but could only direct it into Ondama and the ball deflected into the net.
Congo now take on the second-placed team Group B in the quarter-finals in Bata on Saturday. That pool will be decided on Monday.
