Mali are into the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals after a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win over Tunisia, edging the Carthage Eagles 3–2 on spot kicks following a 1–1 draw over 120 breathless minutes in Casablanca.
The result sets up a West African showdown with holders Senegal in the last eight.
The game swung wildly in the closing stages. Reduced to ten men after Wayo Coulibaly’s first-half red card, Mali dug in under intense pressure before finally cracking in the 88th minute, when Firat Chaouat rose to head in Elias Saad’s cross for Tunisia.
Just as Jalel Kadri’s side seemed certain to advance, a VAR-reviewed handball by Yassine Meriah deep into stoppage time gifted Mali a lifeline. Lassine Sinayoko kept his nerve from the spot in the 90+6th minute, netting his third goal of the tournament to force extra time.
With chances scarce in the additional thirty minutes, the tie went to penalties, where Mali held their composure better. Djigui Diarra, outstanding throughout, crowned his night by decisively influencing the shootout as Mali converted three kicks to Tunisia’s two, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Eagles’ players and fans.
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