AFCON: Mali defeat Tunisia on penalties to reach quarter finals

El Bilal Toure scored the winning goals as ten-man Mali defeated Tunisia 3-2 on penalties as both nations finished their AFCON 2025 round of 16 encounter 1-1 after extra-time.

The pulsating encounter came alive late in the second half with Tunisia taking the lead before Mali equalized thanks to a penalty kick awarded following a VAR review.

Mali were reduced to ten men when Woyo Coulibaly was sent off for dangerous tackle on Hannibal Mejbri, but Tunisia could not make their numerical advantage count and both teams went into the break level.

Tunisia upped the tempo in the second half but had to wait until the 88th minute for Firas Chaouat put them in the lead, ghosting behind Mali defenders to head Elias Saad’s cross into the net.

The Battle of the Eagles was far from over, however, as Mali mounted a comeback, and were awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR review of Yassine Meriah handball from a free kick delivery.

Lassine Sinayoko squeezed his kick past the keeper six minutes into added time to force extra-time.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, as Mali held on for penalties where Tunisia failed to convert three kicks to Mali’s two, allowing Toure to score the winning kick to advance into the quarter finals.

Mali advance to the quarter final for the first time since 2013, and are yet to register a win in regulation time so far at AFCON 2025, Tom Saintfiet’s side have played four draws so far in Morocco, and will face Senegal in the last-eight stage.

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