Recalled forward Iliman Ndiaye struck in the opening half to secure a 1-0 win for Senegal over Mali, who were reduced to 10 men, in Tangiers on Friday as the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final was decided.
Mali’s chances suffered a major setback in first-half stoppage time when captain Yves Bissouma was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.
The decisive goal came after a costly error by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, although the shot-stopper later redeemed himself with a series of outstanding saves that denied Senegal a wider margin of victory.
Aiming for a third final appearance in four tournaments, the 2022 champions will now take on either defending champions Ivory Coast or record seven-time winners Egypt, who meet on Saturday, in the semi-finals.
“I am happy to have won the player of the match award, but the most important thing is that we have progressed to the semi-finals. We played well and are constantly improving,” Ndiaye said.
The 25-year-old Everton attacker had started all three of Senegal’s group matches but was left on the bench throughout the round-of-16 triumph over Sudan six days earlier.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents, saying, “It was not an easy match against a talented Mali team. Had we been more clinical in front of the goal, we could have scored more goals.”
Despite the defeat, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet praised his side’s resilience. “It was a difficult match for us because we had to play (half) of it with 10 men.
“I am proud of the players for what they did, not only tonight but throughout the AFCON,” he added.
Bissouma had earlier gone into the referee’s book midway through the first half for a foul on Senegal forward and two-time African Player of the Year Sadio Mane.
Mali almost took the lead when Lassine Sinayoko broke through on goal, only to be denied by a superb sliding challenge from fellow Ligue 1 player Krepin Diatta.
The breakthrough arrived after 27 minutes on a cold and overcast night in the Mediterranean city, with Ndiaye at the heart of the move.
He was involved repeatedly before goalkeeper Djigui Diarra allowed a cross from Krepin Diatta to slip beneath him, leaving Ndiaye to pounce on the loose ball and fire it into the net.
Although the goal stemmed from an error, it rewarded Senegal’s dominance in possession during only the second AFCON meeting between the two nations, the first having ended in a group-stage draw in 2004.
Moments later, Mali were again reduced to 10 men in a knockout match before the interval, as Bissouma was shown a second yellow and then a red card.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder brought down Idrissa Gueye, and appeals from the Malian camp for a VAR review were turned down.
As they had done against Tunisia in the last 16, Mali showed remarkable determination after the break despite their numerical disadvantage.
They nearly equalised in the 55th minute when defender Abdoulaye Diaby surged forward for a free-kick, forcing Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into a sharp reflex save from close range.
Having been at fault earlier, Djigui Diarra produced several fine stops to keep Mali’s hopes of a first-ever AFCON title alive.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Ndiaye was withdrawn and replaced by 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, the hero of the previous win over Sudan.
Diarra again came to Mali’s rescue as the clock ran down, blocking a clear effort from substitute Pathe Ciss.
The goalkeeper capped his display in seven minutes of added time, stretching to push a powerful volley from Lamine Camara to safety.
What you should know
Senegal’s narrow victory highlights their growing momentum at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they chase another continental title.
Iliman Ndiaye’s return to the starting lineup proved decisive, while Mali’s campaign was undermined by another red card in the knockout stages.
Despite elimination, Mali showed resilience and defensive resolve, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra standing out. Senegal now face a heavyweight semi-final clash against either Ivory Coast or Egypt as the tournament reaches its decisive phase.
