Mali Advances to AFCON Quarterfinals After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Tunisia

Mali Advances to Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals After Penalty Shootout Win

Mali defeated Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time in their last-16 match at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. The match was played with Mali down a man, as substitute Firas Chaouat scored for Tunisia in the 88th minute.

Mali’s defender Woyo Coulibaly was sent off in the 26th minute, but they were awarded a stoppage-time penalty that Lassine Sinayoko converted to tie the match. The game went into extra time, and eventually, a penalty shootout was necessary.

In the shootout, Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved two penalties from Ali Abdi and Tunisian players Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. El Bilal Toure scored the winning penalty for Mali, advancing them to a quarterfinal match against Senegal next Friday in Tangier.

Mali will face Senegal, the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions, who beat Sudan 3-1 earlier. The match marked Mali’s first appearance in the tournament since 2019. Despite being down a man for most of the game, Mali showed resilience and ultimately emerged victorious.

Source: Al Jazeera