AFCON 2025 | Result
- Mali 1(3)-1(2) Tunisia
With a man less, Mali eliminate Tunisia after a successful penalty shootout in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
Mali edged Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after tying 1-1 in normal time of a Round of 16 encounter at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday.
Despite flashing points of hope in the group stage, Tunisia failed to reach the quarterfinals for the second time in the last six AFCON editions.
Mali were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute after Woyo Coulibaly was sent off for a harsh challenge on midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.
From that point, Tunisia took full charge of the game but somehow failed to utilise their chances. Mali held on dragging the game into the break with no side seeing the back of the net.
With two minutes to full time, Firas Chaouat nodded into the top corner a well floated delivery into the area and Tunisia took the desired lead.
In added time Mali were awarded a penalty after the ball bounced off Yassine Meriah’s hand in the area.
Lassie Sinayoko kept his cool and struck the ball past the custodian Aymen Dahmen from the 12-yard mark. The strike brought life back into the game and was extended to extra time.
Sinayoko, Diabetes Gaoussou and Toure El Bilal converted while Dorgeles Nene and Yves Bissouma failed to find the target for Mali.
On the other hand only Meriah and Elias Saad converted while AbdiAli, Achouri Elias and Ben Romdhane witnessed their spot kicks miss the target.
In the quarterfinals, Mali will take on Senegal on Friday, January 9, 2026 in a highly anticipated clash.