After an intense contest, Mali eventually booked their place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals, defeating Tunisia on penalties following a dramatic 1–1 draw. They were reduced to ten men early on, however the Eagles showed resilience and composure to eliminate Tunisia and keep their title hopes alive.

Physical Start and Early Turning Point

From the opening whistle, the first half unfolded with intensity and physicality, as both teams flew into challenges and collected two yellow cards apiece. As the tempo continued to rise, the defining moment arrived in the 26th minute when Mali defender Woyo Coulibaly saw red, forcing his side to play the majority of the match at a numerical disadvantage.

Tunisia looked to take control after the dismissal. They dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances. Mali stayed compact and disciplined, absorbing pressure and limiting space between the lines. The first half ended goalless, with tension building inside the stadium.

Late Drama in the Second Half

The match finally opened up late in the second half. In the 88th minute, Firas Chaouat broke the deadlock for Tunisia. His goal sparked celebrations on the Tunisian bench and appeared to seal qualification.

However, Mali refused to accept defeat. Pushing forward in added time, they earned a crucial penalty after sustained pressure in the box. Lassine Sinayoko stepped up and calmly converted, sending the match into a penalty shootout and completely changing the narrative.



Penalty Shootout Decides It
The shootout delivered more drama. Mali showed composure despite the pressure. Tunisia, by contrast, faltered badly from the spot.


Mali star midfielder and Tottenham player Yves Bissouma missed his penalty. Fenerbahçe’s Nene also failed to convert. Despite those misses, Mali stayed alive in the shootout.
Tunisia missed three penalties in total. Their failure to take advantage proved costly and ended their AFCON 2025 campaign in heartbreaking fashion.

Senegal Await
The win sends Mali into the quarterfinals, where they will face Senegal. It promises to be one of the standout ties of the tournament.
For Mali, it was a victory built on courage, discipline, and belief. For Tunisia, it was a painful exit defined by missed chances and late heartbreak.