Despite their numerical disadvantage, Mali claimed victory over Tunisia in the last 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday.
Making their 10th appearance in the knockout stage, the Eagles showed grit and took home bragging rights in the fifth meeting between the two sides at the tournament and their fourth match-up at consecutive editions.
FULL-TIME! 🇲🇱🇹🇳
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 3, 2026
Mali with a vital win over Tunisia. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/nMMaL3toPw
Tunisia’s perfect record in the round of 16 comes to an end, with the north African nation now having won two and lost one game at this stage.
The Eagles of Carthage were dealt an early blow as centre back Dylan Bronn was forced off due to injury and replaced by Yassine Meriah in the 11th minute.
Quarter-finals | Spot 2. 🇲🇱
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 3, 2026
Mali advance to the next round of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fxw0pVpvFP
Their first chance of the game came in the 12th minute as Ismaël Gharbi’s long range effort flew narrowly wide of the left post.
Mali were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute as Woyo Coulibaly received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Hannibal Mejbri.
Mejbri continued to remain a thorn in the Eagles’ side but Tunisia, as well as Mali, struggled to find the target.
Hadj Mahmoud misses a chance for Tunisia in stoppage time after a cross from captain Ferjani Sassi. He was judged to have pushed Ousmane Camara to the floor to get open, but failed to make contact with the ball regardless.
Ali Abdi nearly caught goalkeeper Djigui Diarra out in the 56th minute, curling his corner towards the keeper who was forced to punch it behind to avoid conceding.
🚨 1/4 DE FINALE - #CAN2025
— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) January 3, 2026
SÉNÉGAL 🇸🇳⚔️🇲🇱 MALI pic.twitter.com/ms08PSRSgy
Mali began to build momentum 63rd minute as substitute Dorgeles Nene released by Lassine Sinayoko, drawing defender, effort rising above the bar, keeper beaten
Mejbri came close to an opener in the 79th minute, targeting the bottom left corner from a free kick. However, he was denied by Diarra, who made a diving save.
The Eagles of Carthage finally found the back of the net in the 89th minute. Substitutes combined as Elias Saad chipped the ball over the top of the Malian defence for Firas Chaouat, who headed Tunisia in front in the dying stages.
However, their lead was not to last. Mali were awarded a penalty and a chance to level matters in the 92nd minute after Yassine Meriah was blown for handball. Lassine Sinayoko buried the ball into the bottom right corner in the 96th minute, sending the game to extra time.
In the 98th minute, Ellyes Skhiri found Ali Abdi in the Malian box but his low-driven effort was saved by Diarra.
Tunisia were denied a potential winner at the start of the second period of extra time as Chaouat was ruled to have put the ball in the back of the net from an offside position.
Ibrahima Sissoko missed a last-ditch effort for Mali in the 122nd minute, unable to put Gaoussou Diakite’s cross home at the back-post.
Diarra proved to be the hero for the Eagles, making two saves in the penalty shootout. El Bilal Touré netted the final spot kick to send the Eagles through to the quarterfinals.
They will face Senegal at Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier on Friday, with a spot in the semifinals up for grabs.
Mali (0) 1 (Sinayoko 90+6’)
Tunisia (0) 1 (Chaouat 88’)
Mali: D. Diarra, W. Coulibaly, A. Diaby, O. Camara, A. Dante (G. Diakité 90+2’), Y. Bissouma, A. Dieng (I. Sissoko 110’), M. Sangaré (E. B. Touré 90+2), L. Coulibaly (H. Traoré 117’), M. Doumbia (D. Nene 57’), L. Sinayoko
Tunisia: A. Dahmen, Y. Valery (M. Ben Ali 111’), E. Skhiri, F. Sassi, I. Gharbi (E. Saad 70’), H. Mejbri (M. Ali Ben Romdhane 85’), M. Talbi,, H. Mastouri (F. Chaouat 70’), H. Mahmoud (E. Achouri 46’), A. Abdi, D. Bronn (Y. Meriah 11’)