10-man Mali have qualified for the quarter finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after overcoming Tunisia 3-2 on penalties in the round of 16 on Saturday.
Mali was reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute, when Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Hannibal Mejbri’s ankle.
However, Tunisia broke the deadlock in the 88th minute through Firas Chaouat, who headed in a cross from Elias Saad.
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But Mali responded quickly in added time after Yassine Meriah conceded a penalty with a handball, before Lassine Sinayoko converted from the spot in the 90+6 minute, sending the match into extra time.
With no goal after extra time, the game went to penalties, where both teams struggled. Mali missed two of their first three attempts, while Tunisia failed to convert three of theirs. El Bilal Touré scored the decisive penalty to send Mali through.
With this hard-fought win, Mali advances to the quarterfinals and will face Senegal in Tangier on January 9.
