Ten-man Mali staged a stunning last-gasp comeback to defeat Tunisia 3-2 on penalties and advance to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans played with a numerical disadvantage for over 90 minutes after defender Woyo Coulibaly received a straight red card in the first half for a dangerous challenge on Hannibal Mejbri.
The game appeared destined for a narrow Tunisian victory when Firas Chaouat headed home with just two minutes of regular time remaining.
However, deep into stoppage time, a handball call against Yassine Meriah gifted Mali a lifeline. Striker Lassine Sinayoko kept his nerve, driving a penalty just past the reach of goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen to force extra time.
The ensuing shootout was a tense affair of missed chances. Mali captain Yves Bissouma blazed over, and Nene Dorgeles struck the post, while Tunisian efforts were thwarted by Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who saved two crucial kicks. After Ali Abdi skied his attempt, El Bilal Touré converted the decisive penalty to spark wild celebrations.
In the day’s earlier knockout match, reigning champions Senegal reaffirmed their status as tournament favorites, overcoming an early scare to defeat Sudan 3-1.
The Teranga Lions conceded a superb sixth-minute opener to Sudan’s Aamir Abdallah but responded with composed dominance. A second-half surge sealed their place as the first team in the quarter-finals.
Mali now prepares for a last-eight clash, having survived one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
