FootyChatter.com

Mali have reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the second successive edition of the finals Ten-man Mali rode their luck to beat Tunisia 3-2 on penalties and reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). El Bilal Toure netted the decisive spot-kick after Ali Abdi blazed over the bar and Eagles goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved Tunisia's fourth and fifth strikes from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. After a match containing little action until late on, the shootout was full of drama as Mali captain Yves Bissouma fired over and team-mate Nene Dorgeles hit the post with his effort. The West Africans were a man down for more than 90 minutes after Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for catching Hannibal Mejbri on the Achilles with his studs. Tunisia went ahead with two minutes of regulation time remaining when Firas Chaouat's header crept inside the right-hand upright, but Mali were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball. Lassine Sinayoko's low spot-kick had just enough on it to get past Carthage Eagles goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who got his hand to the ball, and send the game to extra time. Chaouat thought he had made it 2-1 early in the second period of extra time but the effort was ruled out for offside against team-mate Abdi and the game eventually drifted towards a shootout. Mali will travel north to Tangier to face 2021 champions Senegal, who beat Sudan earlier, in the last eight on Friday (16: 00 GMT). Salah goals & Hakimi return - six things from Afcon 2025's group stage Government suspends Gabon team and bans Aubameyang Both sides had been unconvincing in the group stage, with Mali finishing second in Group A after drawing all three outings and Tunisia's win over Uganda in their tournament opener their sole victory in Group C. Referee Abongile Tom took a strict approach from the off in a fiercely contested game in Casablanca, booking four players by the midway point of the first half. The South African official then had no hesitation in reaching for red in the 26th minute when right-back Coulibaly needlessly lunged in from behind on Mejbri some 15 yards inside the Tunisia half. The right-back took his time departing the field - perhaps hoping for a reprieve from the video assistant referee (VAR) which was never going to come - and his exit prompted the West Africans to sit deep in a compact defensive shape. Tunisia rarely looked like breaking their opponents down despite dominating possession, and the first effort on target only came in the 79th minute when Mejbri's free-kick from nearly 30 yards almost caught out Diarra. Substitute forward Chaouat looked to have won it, breaking the deadlock late on after ghosting in behind Mali's centre-backs to convert Elias Saad's looping cross, but Tunisia's joy was short-lived as a free-kick hit the arm of Meriah and Sinayoko equalised from 12 yards. Djigui Diarra stuck out a strong left hand to save Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's fifth attempt for Tunisia The big moment in extra time came when Chaouat tapped Abdi's cross into the net in the 106th minute, but the left-back had strayed offside when following up a low effort from Ellyes Skhiri which Diarra could only palm away. The penalty shootout, played out in driving rain with animated coaching staff getting a soaking on the touchline, was a rollercoaster affair and Diarra's two saves proved crucial in turning the tide after Mali trailed 2-1 after three rounds. Besiktas frontman Toure had a penalty saved in the first half of Mali's opener against Zambia on 22 December, but showed composure to send Dahmen the wrong way before ripping off his shirt as he sparked celebrations for the Eagles. Mali are yet to reflect the full extent of their undeniably talented squad in their performances in Morocco, having reached the last eight without recording a victory. But having now received red cards in their past two outings, Eagles coach Tom Saintfiet will need his side to improve their discipline when they come up against a Senegal side which has already found the back of the net 10 times at these finals. Tunisia boss Sami Trabelsi, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on his side's failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage. The Carthage Eagles did not get past the group stage at the 2023 Afcon, but their last-16 exit in Morocco means the North Africans have still only recorded one semi-final appearance since lifting the trophy in 2004. Manager: Tom Saintfiet Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Sami Trabelsi Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Tom Saintfiet Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Sami Trabelsi Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 CAF Africa Cup of Nations All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Mali 1(3), Tunisia 1(2). Penalty Shootout ends, Mali 1(3), Tunisia 1(2). Goal! Mali 1(3), Tunisia 1(2). El Bilal Touré (Mali) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Penalty saved. Mohamed Ben Romdhane (Tunisia) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner by Djigui Diarra (Mali). Goal! Mali 1(2), Tunisia 1(2). Gaoussou Diakite (Mali) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal. Penalty saved. Elias Achouri (Tunisia) right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner by Djigui Diarra (Mali). Penalty missed! Still Mali 1(1), Tunisia 1(2). Dorgeles Nene (Mali) hits the left post with a right footed shot. Goal! Mali 1(1), Tunisia 1(2). Elias Saad (Tunisia) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner. Goal! Mali 1(1), Tunisia 1(1). Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Penalty missed. Ali Abdi (Tunisia) left footed shot is just a bit too high. Penalty missed. Yves Bissouma (Mali) right footed shot is too high. Goal! Mali 1, Tunisia 1(1). Yassine Meriah (Tunisia) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal. Penalty Shootout begins Mali 1, Tunisia 1. Second Half Extra Time ends, Mali 1, Tunisia 1. Attempt missed. Ibrahima Sissoko (Mali) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Gaoussou Diakite with a cross following a set piece situation. Foul by Mohamed Ben Ali (Tunisia). Gaoussou Diakite (Mali) wins a free kick on the left wing. Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time. Ibrahima Sissoko (Mali) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ali Abdi (Tunisia) wins a free kick on the left wing. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.