Africa Cup of Nations – Ndiaye scores, Bissouma receives red card, Senegal 1-0 defeat ten-man Mali

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals continued, with Senegal facing Mali at the Tangier Stadium. Senegal ultimately won by a narrow margin, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring the only goal of the match.

Both teams traded attacks in the opening stages, but neither could create a real threat. In the 27th minute, Senegal broke the deadlock: Krepin Diatta's cross from the right wing caused Mali goalkeeper Gigui Diarra to fumble the save, and Iliman Ndiaye quickly followed up to score the opening goal.

In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Mali, already trailing by one goal, suffered another blow: Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma tackled Idrissa Gueye on the right wing, receiving his second yellow card and being sent off. Trailing 0-1 and playing with ten men, Mali subsequently found themselves in a very passive position.

After the break, Senegal launched a full-scale attack against ten-man Mali. In the 49th minute, Gueye unleashed a dangerous long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but it was brilliantly saved by Diarra. In the 52nd minute, Diata delivered a free kick from the right side of the field, and Habib Diallo's header inside the penalty area went just over the bar. In the 57th minute, Mali, not to be outdone, attempted a counter-attack from a free kick, but Abdoulaye Diaby's shot was successfully saved by Edouard Mendy.

In the 66th minute, Ramin Camara passed the ball from midfield to the left wing, and Mane broke through to the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot that was saved by Diarra. In the 67th minute, Diata delivered a corner kick from the left, and Partey Sis' header at the near post was also blocked. In the 76th minute, Sis successfully intercepted the ball in the attacking third and had a one-on-one opportunity, but his long-range shot was immediately saved by Diarra.

In the 6th minute of stoppage time in the second half, Osman Camara's clearance error gave Senegal a scoring opportunity, but Lamin Camara's shot was brilliantly saved by Diarra. At the final whistle, Senegal defeated Mali 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals.