In an exciting clash in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal managed to defeat Mali with a score of 1-0, securing a ticket to the semi-finals.
The match took place on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, and the only goal was scored by Iliman Ndiaye in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a grave mistake by Mali’s goalkeeper Djigui Diarra following a cross from Krépin Diatta, easily placing the ball in the net.
The match was marked by significant tension, as Mali’s midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off in the final minutes of the first half (45+3), making things more difficult for the “Eagles,” who played with ten men for most of the second half. Despite Mali’s pressure in the final minutes and stoppage time (until the 90+5 minute), Senegal’s defense, led by Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa N’yakhate, held strong, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy kept a clean sheet.
With this victory, Senegal (2021 champions) continues its strong campaign in the tournament and sets up a meeting in the semi-finals with one of the qualifiers from the other quarter-final matches.
