Penalty shoot-out sees ten-man Mali progress to quarter-finals | OneFootball

Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was the shootout hero as 10-men Mali knocked Tunisia out to secure a quarter-final spot.

It was an even and tense game in blustery Casablanca with the flow frequently interrupted by stoppages, until late on, very little goalmouth action.

Mali seem to be a magnet for red cards at AFCON and this edition is no exception. It was a deserved red card too when Woyo Coulibaly's caught Hannibal Mejbri on the ankle with the kind of tackle that could have led to a serious injury. Fortunately for Tunisia, the Burnley man was able to continue while Mali protested the decision.

Referee Abongile Tom was probably the busiest person on the pitch and he did well to notice Hannibal's attempt to dive for a penalty in the 59th minute and hand out a yellow card as both sides struggled to create.

A rare save came in the 79th minute when Hannibal looked to catch goalkeeper Diarra out with a freekick that looked like it would be floated into the box but instead was whipped towards the near post with the Malian shot-stopper able to keep it out. That was just the second shot on target in the entire game up to that point.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 88th minute when two substitutes combined as Elias Saad whipped in a cross from the left with his right foot that Firas Chaouat headed into the corner.

A goal down with 10 men and only a few minutes plus four of stoppage time left to play it was always going to be difficult for Mali. However, they were afforded a late lifeline when a freekick was sent in with Yassine Meriah penalised for a handball. VAR cleared the spot-kick. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen got a hand to Lassine Sinayoko's penalty but there was enough power on it to ensure it found the net to make it 1-1 late on and send the game into extra-time.

An extra 30 minutes couldn't separate these two with Mali again staying strong against a Tunisia side who were lacking in creativity.

The penalty shootout was full of drama with Yves Bissouma and Ali Abdi skying penalties early on. Ultimately it was Djigui Diarra who was the hero, saving both Elias Achouri and Ali Ben Romdhane's penalties to send his side into the quarter-finals against the odds.

Mali will now face Senegal on January 9th in Tangier.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

11':

Missed opportunity. Ismaël Gharbi from Tunisia takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that goes just wide to the left.

22':

Missed opportunity! Montassar Talbi from Tunisia heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes wide to the left. The chance was created by Hannibal Mejbri, who delivered a cross after a set-piece situation.

24':

Missed opportunity! Mahamadou Doumbia from Mali heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes over the bar and to the left. The chance was set up by Mamadou Sangaré, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

26':

Red Card for Woyo Coulibaly (Mali)

Woyo Coulibaly has now picked up 0 red in the competition (3 matches)

45 +7':

Missed opportunity! Ousmane Camara from Mali heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes wide to the left after a corner kick.

63':

Missed opportunity! Dorgeles Nene from Mali took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the left of the goal. The assist came from Lassine Sinayoko.

71':

Missed opportunity! Amadou Dante from Mali took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area after a direct free kick, but it went wide.

78':

Missed opportunity! Hannibal Mejbri from Tunisia took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards, but it went wide to the right. He was set up by Elias Achouri, who provided a headed pass after a quick counterattack.

Tunisia takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Mali. Firas Chaouat scored with a header from the center of the box, directing it into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Elias Saad.

88':

GOAL Tunisia: Firas Chaouat (Tunisia) scores!

Firas Chaouat scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

It's now Mali 1, Tunisia 1. Lassine Sinayoko from Mali successfully scores the penalty with a shot from his right foot.

90 +6':

GOALMali: Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) scores penalty-kick!

Lassine Sinayoko scores goal number 3 in the competition (4 matches)

98':

Missed opportunity! Ali Abdi from Tunisia took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the right. The assist came from Ellyes Skhiri.

102':

Missed opportunity! Yassine Meriah from Tunisia took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out, but it went wide to the left. He was set up by Montassar Talbi.

111':

Missed opportunity! Abdoulaye Diaby from Mali took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out following a direct free kick, but it didn't hit the target.

114':

Missed opportunity! Ali Abdi from Tunisia took a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it went wide to the right. He was set up by Elias Saad after a set piece.

It's now Mali 1, Tunisia 1 as Yassine Meriah steps up for Tunisia and successfully scores the penalty with a powerful right-footed strike into the top center of the net.Mali has equalized at 1-1 against Tunisia! Lassine Sinayoko steps up and successfully converts the penalty with a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.It's now Mali 1 - 1 Tunisia, as Elias Saad from Tunisia steps up and successfully converts the penalty with a powerful shot using his right foot. Tunisia leads 2-1!Mali 1 - 2 Tunisia! Gaoussou Diakite from Mali steps up and successfully converts the penalty with a powerful shot using his right foot.

120 +2':

Missed opportunity! Ibrahima Sissoko from Mali took a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box, but it sailed over the bar. The chance was set up by Gaoussou Diakite, who delivered a cross after a set piece.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match