Ten-man Mali defeat Tunisia on penalties to book quarter-final place

CASABLANCA, Morocco, ‌Jan 3 : Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved twice in the shootout to help 10-man Mali to a 3-2 win via penalties after a 1-1 last 16 draw with Tunisia on ‌Saturday and book an Africa ‌Cup of Nations quarter-final with Senegal.

Tunisia striker Firas Chaouat gave his side the lead in the 88th minute as he lost his marker to guide a deep ‍cross from Elias Saad into the net.

However, Mali were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when substitute defender Yassine Meriah inexplicably ​used his arm ‌to deflect the ball from a free-kick, and Lassine Sinayoko netted in ​the 97th minute to send the game ⁠to extra time.

Mali had ‌been reduced to 10 men in ​the 26th minute when Woyo Coulibaly stamped on the ankle of Tunisia's ‍Hannibal Mejbri, and could have few complaints, ⁠but put in a battling performance to ​snatch the win ‌in the shootout.