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Senegal secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Friday night with a narrow 1-0 victory over a resilient but disadvantaged Mali side in Tangiers.
The match’s defining moment arrived in the 27th minute when recalled forward Iliman Ndiaye capitalised on a significant error from Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
Diarra failed to handle a cross from Krepin Diatta, allowing Ndiaye to pounce on the loose ball and provide Senegal with a lead they would not relinquish.
Mali’s path to a comeback became significantly steeper during first-half stoppage time. Captain Yves Bissouma, who had already been booked earlier in the half for a foul on Sadio Mane, received a second yellow card for a challenge on Idrissa Gueye.
The dismissal left Mali to navigate the entire second half with only 10 men, marking the second consecutive knockout fixture in which they were forced to finish short-handed.
The contest was not without its share of early tension. Only three minutes in, Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko went down in the box, claiming he was fouled by the returning Senegal captain, Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, the referee dismissed the appeals, and VAR confirmed that Sinayoko had been guilty of simulation.
Despite being a man down, Mali showed great character in the second half, nearly equalising when Edouard Mendy was forced into a sharp reflex save to deny Abdoulaye Diaby.
In the closing stages, Djigui Diarra redeemed his earlier mistake by producing several world-class saves to prevent Senegal from extending their lead.
He denied both Pathe Ciss and Lamine Camara in the dying minutes to keep the scoreline respectable.
Senegal now move on to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the highly anticipated Saturday clash between reigning champions Ivory Coast and seven-time winners Egypt.
