10-man Mali have become the second team to book a place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after edging Tunisia on penalties in their round of 16 clash in Casablanca on Saturday, Bold Sports reports.
The match began in a highly physical fashion as both sides looked to assert early control. Within the opening seven minutes, referee Abongile Tom had already brandished two yellow cards, and in the 12th minute Tunisia were forced into an early substitution, with Dylan Bronn replaced by the experienced Yassine Meriah.
The intensity remained high as Mali’s Yves Bissouma and Tunisia’s Hadj Mahmoud were cautioned in quick succession. Matters worsened for Mali in the 28th minute when Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Hannibal Mejbri’s ankle.
Despite being a man down, Mali responded positively, pressing bravely rather than retreating deep, while Tunisia sought to make their numerical advantage count by increasing the pressure in search of an opening goal.
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Late in the first half, Mejbri was again on the end of a heavy challenge, this time from Lassana Coulibaly, but the referee declined to issue a yellow card, much to the frustration of the Tunisian bench.
Mali adopted a deeper defensive approach after the break, aiming to deny Tunisia space and clear chances, a tactic that successfully disrupted Sami Trabelsi’s side. Tunisia’s first meaningful opportunity of the second half came 10 minutes in, when a corner was punched clear by goalkeeper Diarra.
On the hour mark, Mejbri went down in the penalty area and appealed for a spot kick, but instead was booked for simulation, further adding to Tunisia’s frustration. The midfielder remained involved and in the 78th minute forced Diarra into a save from a well-struck free kick.
Tunisia finally broke the deadlock in the 88th minute as Elias Saad delivered a superb cross that Firas Chaouat headed home from close range to make it 1-0.
However, late drama followed when Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball inside the box. After a VAR check, Lassine Sinayoko converted the resulting penalty despite Dahmen getting a touch, sending the match into extra time.
Extra time proved a tight and cautious affair as fatigue set in. Mali appealed for another penalty in the first period, but their claims were dismissed, while Tunisia saw a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review early in the second half of extra time.
With no further goals after 120 minutes, the contest was decided by penalties. Goalkeeper Diarra emerged as the hero, saving two spot kicks as Mali won the shootout 3-2 to secure progression.
The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash between Mali and Senegal on Friday, January 9, after the Lions of Teranga defeated Sudan 3-1 in their own round of 16 encounter earlier on Saturday.
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