Senegal beat Mali 1-0 to reach the AFCON 2025 semi-finals where defending champions Ivory Coast or record winners Egypt await.
Eighth-ranked striker Elliman Ndia scored a first-half goal to lead Senegal to a 1-0 win over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday in the first quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mali’s hopes suffered a major blow in first-half added time when Yves Bissauma was shown a second yellow card.
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The only goal came after a mistake by Mali goalkeeper Jigui Diarra, who then made an excellent save to prevent Senegal from extending their lead.
Senegal will now face defending champions Ivory Coast or record seven-time winners Egypt in the semi-finals.
Malian Lacin Sinaiko appealed for a penalty just three minutes into the first half, alleging a foul by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who returned from a one-match suspension.
However, the South African referee called play on and VAR confirmed his decision was correct. A big-screen replay showed Sinyoko guilty of simulation.
Mali captain Bissauma was yellow carded at half-time for a foul on veteran Senegal striker and two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane.
Sinyoko was then thwarted by a superb sliding tackle from fellow French Ligue 1 player Crepin Diatta.
Thanks to Ndiaye, the deadlock was broken after 27 minutes on a cold, cloudy evening in the Mediterranean city.
He was involved three times in one move as goalkeeper Dziguy Diarra allowed Crepin Diarra’s cross to slip under his body and Ndiaye smashed the loose ball into the net.
Although the goal was a gift, it gave Senegal a deserved lead as they dominated in only the second AFCON clash between the countries. The first was a group stage draw in 2004.
Pep Gueye, who scored twice for Senegal in the last-16 win over Sudan, was off target with a shot from outside the box.
Then, for the second knockout match in a row, Mali were reduced to 10 men before half-time and Bissauma showed a second yellow card, followed by a red.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder fouled Idrissa Gueye in midfield and the Malian’s plea to have the incident reviewed by VAR was rejected.
Mali showed great enthusiasm after being reduced to 10 men against Tunisia in the round of 16 and it was evident again against Senegal in the second half.
They came close to equalizing in the 55th minute when defender Abdoulaye Diaby headed over for a free-kick. His close-range shot drew a reflex save from former Chelsea goalkeeper Eduard Mendy.
Diarra atoned for his first-half mistakes to keep Malian’s dream of winning their first AFCON title alive.
With 15 minutes of regular time remaining, scorer Ndiaye was substituted. He was replaced by 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, whose goal sealed victory over Sudan.
Diarra saved Mali again as time ticked away, blocking a shot from substitute Pathé Cisse, who had broken clear.
The Malian goalkeeper made another excellent save seven minutes into added time, pushing away Lamin Camara’s volley.