The Lions of Teranga, Senegal, advanced past a 10-man Mali through a solitary goal from Iliman Ndiaye to reach the Semi-Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match played out at the Grand Stadium in Tanjiers was well-fought, but Senegal was the better team on the day. Mali made it tough for the Senegalese, but went a goal down when Diarra, Mali’s goalkeeper, who was the hero of their quarter-final victory against Tunisia, fumbled.
Diarra could not gather cleanly a cross from Diatta. The ball fell on the feet of Ndiaye, who shot into the goal in the 27th minute.
Bissouma, Mali’s captain, was sent off on the stroke of halftime after getting his second yellow card of the game, leaving Mali to fight half of the match with 10 men. But Diarra rose to the occasion once again.
Senegal had opportunities galore in the second half, particularly from the sublime feet of Sadio Mane, but Diarra produced several brilliant saves to deny Senegal. Edouard Mendy, keeping the goal for the Teranga Lions, was excellent too, making a massive save to deny Mali the equaliser.
In the end, Senegal prevailed and made it to the AFCON semis, as clouds came pouring down in Tangiers.
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