Ten-Man Mali Outlast Tunisia in Thriller

Mali produced one of the most stirring performances of the Africa Cup of Nations, overcoming a red card and relentless pressure to defeat Tunisia on penalties and secure a historic place in the quarter-finals. Reduced to ten men early in the contest, the West Africans displayed exceptional resilience, tactical discipline and composure under pressure, eventually prevailing three–two in the shoot-out after a one–one draw across normal and extra time.

The match, played at a breathless tempo from the outset, turned dramatically in the twenty-sixth minute when defender Woyo Coulibaly was dismissed following a reckless challenge. The decision left Mali facing more than one hundred minutes with a numerical disadvantage. Yet rather than retreating into panic, Tom Saintfiet’s side reorganised swiftly, maintaining a compact defensive shape and contesting midfield battles with admirable intensity.

Tunisia attempted to capitalise on their advantage, dominating possession and probing persistently down the flanks. Despite the pressure, Mali’s back line held firm, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra repeatedly coming to their rescue through sharp reflexes and assured handling. As the match wore on, the physical and mental demands on Mali intensified, yet their collective resolve never wavered.

The breakthrough finally arrived late in the second half. In the eighty-eighth minute, Tunisia’s Firas Chaouat rose highest to head home, seemingly sealing the North Africans’ passage to the last eight. With defeat looming, Mali summoned one final surge of belief. Deep into stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty after a defensive infringement in the box. Lassine Sinayoko stepped forward and calmly converted, silencing the Tunisian celebrations and forcing extra time.

Neither side could find a decisive goal during the additional thirty minutes, setting the stage for a nerve-racking penalty shoot-out. Mali suffered an early setback when captain Yves Bissouma blazed his effort over the crossbar. However, momentum swung dramatically as Tunisia’s Ali Abdi failed to convert his attempt. Diarra then emerged as the hero, saving two successive penalties to tilt the contest firmly in Mali’s favour. The moment of triumph arrived when El Bilal Touré dispatched the winning kick with unerring composure.

After the match, Saintfiet praised his players’ character, describing them as “heroes” for their courage and sacrifice. He highlighted the team’s unity and Diarra’s decisive role in the shoot-out as defining factors in the victory.

Mali now face a formidable challenge in the quarter-finals against regional rivals Senegal, who advanced with an authoritative win in their previous match. Buoyed by this extraordinary display of resilience, Mali will approach the encounter with renewed confidence and belief.

Match Summary