In the Round of 16 match held in Casablanca, the Mali national team secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Tunisia in a penalty shootout with a score of 3:2. The regular and extra time ended in a 1:1 draw, with the Malian team spending most of the match with one player less.
The key player of the match was Mali's goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, who saved two shots in the decisive penalty shootout.
In the 88th minute, Tunisia opened the scoring when forward Firas Chaouat connected with a cross from Elias Saad. It seemed that this goal would secure victory for the "Eagles of Carthage," but in stoppage time, Mali managed to earn a penalty. Tunisia's defender, Yassine Meriah, handled the ball after a free kick, and Lassine Sinayoko successfully converted the penalty in the 97th minute, sending the game into extra time.
The Mali team was reduced to ten men as early as the 26th minute when Voyo Koulibaly was sent off for a foul on Tunisia's midfielder, Hannibal Mejbri. Despite this, the team showed resilience and managed to hold on until the end.
In extra time, Chaouat scored again, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The fate of advancing to the quarter-finals was decided in the penalty shootout, where Diarra played a crucial role.
Interestingly, Mali advanced to the quarter-finals without winning a single match in regular time during the tournament: the team finished all three group stage matches in a draw and again drew with Tunisia.
In the quarter-finals, Mali will face Senegal in Tangier on Friday. The Senegalese previously defeated Sudan 3:1 and also advanced to the last eight of the tournament.
