Mali Vs Tunisia, AFCON 2025-26: MAL Eagles Squeeze Into Quarter-Finals With 3-2 Penalty Win

Mali edged into the Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26 quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 penalty win over Tunisia at a packed Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. Playing nearly 100 minutes with 10 men after Woyo Coulibaly’s early red card, Mali looked out of luck when Firas Chaouat gave Tunisia the lead in the 88th minute. But a last-gasp handball in the 96th minute allowed Lassine Sinayoko to equalise, sending the match to penalties, where Mali held their nerve to prevail 3-2.

Updated on: 4 January 2026 5:30 pm

Mali players celebrate after the penalty shootout of the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Mali's El Bilal Toure heaads the ball in front of Tunisia's Elias Saad during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Tunisia's Yassine Meriah, right, scores a penalty kick against Mali's goalkeeper Djigui Diarra during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Tunisia's Mohamed Ben Ali, left and Mali's Gaoussou Diakite fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Tunisia's Yassine Meriah fouls Mali's El Bilal Toure during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Tunisia's Yan Valery holds Mali's Gaoussou Diakite during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Mali vs Tunisia

Mali players celebrate after a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Tunisia vs Mali

Tunisia players celebrate after a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26: Mali vs Tunisia

Tunisia's Firas Chaouat scores during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26: Tunisia vs Mali

Mali's Abdoulaye Diaby left, and Tunisia's Montassar Talbi fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Mali and Tunisia in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe