Mali produced one of the most dramatic stories of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), booking their place in the quarter-finals after a remarkable triumph over Tunisia. Reduced to ten men early on, the Eagles showed extraordinary resilience to survive, fight back and eventually prevail in a nerve-shredding encounter.

The match turned on its head almost immediately when Koulibaly was sent off in the opening stages, leaving Mali with a numerical disadvantage for nearly the entire contest. Despite relentless pressure from Tunisia, the West Africans dug deep, defending heroically and refusing to let the game slip away.

As the clock ticked down, it seemed heartbreak was inevitable. Tunisia finally broke through late in normal time thanks to a decisive strike from Chaouat, a goal that appeared to have sealed Mali’s fate.

But AFCON rarely follows the script. Deep into stoppage time, Sinayoko kept Mali’s dream alive by calmly converting a penalty in the sixth added minute, sending the match into a dramatic shootout.

In the lottery of penalties, fortune smiled on Mali and head coach Tom Saintfiet. The Eagles held their nerve to secure a 3–2 victory, sparking wild celebrations and confirming their place among the last eight.

Interestingly, despite reaching the quarter-finals, Mali have yet to record a single win inside 90 minutes across their four matches at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Mali - Tunisia 1:1 (0:0), shoot-out 3:2
Goals: Chaouat, 88 (0:1); Sinayoko, 90 (penalty) (1:1)

Mali: Diarra Dj.; Dante Am. (Diakite G., 90); Diaby A.; Camara O.; Coulibaly W. (till 26); Doumbia M. (Dorgeles, 57); Bissouma; Dieng Al. (Sissoko I., 111); Sangaré (Toure E.B., 90); Coulibaly L. (Traore Ha-i, 117); Sinayoko
Substitution: Dorgeles (from 57); Toure E.B. (from 90); Diakite G. (from 90); Sissoko I. (from 111); Traore Ha-i (from 117)
Bench: Diawara I.; Samassa; Doucoure F.; Fofana M.; Gassama; Camara Moh.; Camara Mam.; Doumbia K.; Doumbia M-u
Yellow Cards: Doumbia M. 4; Bissouma 17; Dorgeles 103; Sissoko I. 118
Red cards: Coulibaly W. 26'

Tunisia: Dahmen Ay.; Abdi Ali; Talbi; Bronn (Meriah, 12); Valery (Ben Ali, 111); Hadj Mahmoud (Achouri, 46); Sassi F.; Skhiri; Mejbri (Ben Romdhane, 85); Gharbi (Saad, 70); Mastouri (Chaouat, 70)
Substitution: Meriah (from 12); Achouri (from 46); Saad (from 70); Chaouat (from 70); Ben Romdhane (from 85); Ben Ali (from 111)
Bench: Farhati; Ben Saïd; Maâloul A.; Ben Ouanes; Arous Adem; Ghandri; Sliti; Tounekti; Jaziri S.
Yellow Cards: Bronn 7; Hadj Mahmoud 23; Mejbri 60; Chaouat 85; Ben Romdhane 90; Meriah 109