Ten-man Mali defeat Tunisia to earn Quarterfinal spot
Mali stunned Tunisia in the 2025 AFCON Round of 16, advancing 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in Casablanca. Despite playing over 100 minutes with 10 men, the Eagles showed resilience and composure to book their place in the quarter-finals against Senegal.
The clash at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca was tense and ill-tempered, with Mali reduced to 10 men as early as the 26th minute when Woyo Coulibaly was sent off. Tunisia looked to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but Mali’s defensive organization and determination kept the game balanced. The match remained cagey until the final minutes, when both sides produced late drama that electrified the crowd.
Tunisia thought they had sealed victory in the 88th minute when substitute Firas Chaouat headed home to make it 1-0. However, Mali refused to surrender. Deep into stoppage time, Lassine Sinayoko converted a penalty in the 96th minute after Yassine Meriah was penalized for handball. That equalizer forced extra time, where neither side could find a breakthrough, setting up a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero. He saved two Tunisian spot-kicks, while Mali converted three of their five attempts to secure a 3-2 victory. The result extended Mali’s unbeaten streak against Tunisia in AFCON competition and ended Tunisia’s perfect record in Round of 16 matches. The Eagles celebrated passionately, knowing they had overcome adversity to reach the quarter-finals.
The numbers reflected Tunisia’s dominance in possession, with 62% compared to Mali’s 38%. Tunisia registered 14 shots, but only 5 were on target, while Mali managed 7 attempts with 3 on target. Fouls were plentiful, with Mali committing 18 and Tunisia 15, underscoring the physical nature of the contest. Despite being a man down, Mali’s defensive resilience limited Tunisia’s clear chances.
Mali coach Éric Chelle praised his team’s fighting spirit: “We played with heart and discipline. Even with 10 men, the players believed until the end. Djigui Diarra was magnificent, but this was a collective victory.” Tunisia’s coach Jalel Kadri expressed frustration: “We controlled the game but lacked efficiency. Conceding so late was a bitter blow. We must learn from this and improve our composure in decisive moments.”
With this victory, Mali set up a quarter-final showdown against Senegal, a heavyweight clash that promises intensity and flair. For Tunisia, the defeat was a painful reminder of missed opportunities and the fine margins of knockout football. Mali’s triumph, achieved under immense pressure, reinforced their reputation as one of the most resilient sides in the tournament, and their fans will be dreaming of a deep run in AFCON 2025.
