Mali Advances to Quarter-finals of Afcon 2025 After Dramatic Penalty Shootout
Mali's ten-man squad narrowly defeated Tunisia 3-2 in a penalty shootout to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The decisive penalty was converted by El Bilal Toure after Tunisia's Ali Abdi missed the target, while Mali's goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved the fourth and fifth penalties from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.
The match was largely uneventful until the closing stages, but the shootout was filled with tension as Mali's captain Yves Bissouma missed his penalty and teammate Nene Dorgeles struck the post.
Mali played with one fewer player for over 90 minutes after Woyo Coulibaly received a straight red card for a foul on Hannibal Mejbri.
Tunisia took the lead with just two minutes remaining in regulation time when Firas Chaouat's header found the net. However, Mali equalized in stoppage time when Yassine Meriah was penalized for handball, allowing Lassine Sinayoko to convert the low penalty, which just eluded Carthage Eagles goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen's outstretched hand.
Chaouat believed he had scored again early in the second half of extra time, but his goal was disallowed for offside against teammate Abdi, leading the match to conclude and proceed to penalties.
Mali is set to face 2021 champions Senegal in the quarter-finals on Friday at 16:00 GMT in Tangier.