AFCON 2025: Senegal narowly edge Mali into semis
A quarter final derby sanctioned by a single goal but packed with saves, attempts on target and a red card. Senegal beat Mali 1-0 to advance to the semi finals of the AFCON 2025
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Senegal dominates from the start
Unlike their previous appearances in this 2025 African Cup of Nations, Senegal started their quarter-final very well against Mali. The fervor of the derby was in the air from start with Senegal immediately taking control of the possession and repeatedly put the Malian defense in difficulty.
The turning point was at the 27th minute when Djigui Diarra made a big mistake and let a ball slip between his arms, which Iliman Ndiaye quietly pushed into the net. Pape Gueye (32nd) will try his luck from afar but without success, his shot having been diverted by Habib Diallo.
But the highlight of this first period came in additional time (45+3) with the expulsion of the captain of the Mali, Yves Bissouma who received a second yellow card on an unmastered tackle on Pape Gueye. A final attempt by El Hadji Malick Diouf, saved by a firm hand of Djigui Diarra.
With a power-play advantage and a man up, the Teranga Lions were in control in the second period. But the resilient team of Mali did not content themselves with putting down the bus and even contacted Edouard Mendy after three minutes on a break shot from Lassana Coulibaly which forced the Senegalese goalkeeper to relax to catch her.
Stung by the heat, Senegal responded a minute later, with a dry strike from Gana Gueye, who was kicked in from a corner by Djigui Diarra (49th). The two teams will extend these strong sequences with a new opportunity for Mali in the 57th, but Abdoulay Diaby did not succeed in deceiving Mendy, still vigilant on his line.
Djigui Diarra will then make a series of saves, including one in one against one with Pathé Ciss in the 76th minute and another in overtime on a curled shot by Sadio Mané (90+5). The goal of the break never came, but that of Ndiaye in the first period was enough for Senegal who logically imposed themselves and joined the last four of the competition.