Ten-Man Mali Edge Tunisia on Penalties to Reach AFCON Quarters

Mali booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals after beating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw after extra time in Casablanca.

The Eagles were reduced to ten men in the 26th minute when Woyo Coulibaly was sent off for raking his studs down the back of Hannibal Mejbri’s calf, leaving Mali to defend deep for long spells.

Tunisia finally broke through late on as Firas Chaouat headed in Elias Saad’s cross in the 88th minute, a goal celebrated by much of the 41,982 crowd.

Just when the tie seemed over, referee Abongile Tom awarded Mali a stoppage-time penalty for handball by Yassine Meriah after a VAR check. Lassine Sinayoko stayed calm and converted in the 96th minute to force extra time.

Heavy rain slowed the contest, and Chaouat had another effort ruled out for offside. The match went to penalties, where Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved two spot-kicks. Despite Yves Bissouma missing, El Bilal Toure scored the winner to seal a quarterfinal meeting with Senegal next week Friday.