Mali have progressed to the quarter final on the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, after defeating Tunisia during penaltly shootout.
El Bilal Toure scored the decisive spot-kick as 10-man Mali beat Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after playing a 1-1 draw after extra time to set up a fixture with fellow west African side, Senegal in the next round.
Mali looked like they were heading home after conceding to Firas Chaouat’s goal in the 88th minute but the the Eagles rallied back through Lissinne Sinayoko, who converted a penalty in the 96 minute force a rapturous jubilation from the Green and Yellow fans.
Mali had defender Woyo Coulibaly sent off in the 26th minute at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, but earned a reprieve when they were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
Sinayoko converted from the spot to take the tie to extra time and eventually on to the decisive shoot-out.
Captain Yves Bissouma, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, blazed Mali’s first kick over the bar, but Ali Abdi then missed for Tunisia before Eagles goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved two further penalties and Toure won it thereafter.
