Ten-man Mali defied the odds in a dramatic clash of Eagles to beat Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerging as the hero by saving two spot-kicks in a rain-soaked shootout in Casablanca.
The match turned on its head in the 26th minute when Mali right-back Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a high, late challenge from behind on Hannibal Mejbri. The Sassuolo defender raked his studs down the back of the midfielder’s calf, leaving Mali to play more than an hour with 10 men.
Tunisia dominated possession, registering over 70 per cent of the ball, but repeatedly met a resilient Mali rearguard. The Carthage Eagles toiled to create clear chances despite their numerical advantage, with the first half ending goalless.
As extra time loomed, Tunisia finally capitalised. Substitute Firas Chaouat headed home from Elias Saad’s sweeping cross in the 88th minute to seemingly win it for the North Africans.
But Mali refused to surrender. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the ball struck defender Yassine Meriah’s arm inside the area. After South African referee Abongile Tom pointed to the spot, Lassine Sinayoko converted to force extra time, sending the match to penalties.
Heavy rain during extra time forced many spectators in the largely uncovered stadium to abandon their seats. Chaouat thought he had won it again, only to be denied by the offside flag.
In the shootout, captain Yves Bissouma blazed Mali’s opening penalty over the bar before Ali Abdi missed for Tunisia. Diarra then saved from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ben Romdhane, whilst Nene Dorgeles hit the post for Mali. El Bilal Toure finally converted the winning penalty.
Mali, yet to win a match in normal time at this tournament, will face Senegal in the quarter-finals on Friday.
