Rabat, Morocco – Senegal qualified for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali in their match on Friday evening.
The two teams met at the Grand Stade de Tanger, as part of the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The match began relatively calmly from both sides. Play was concentrated in midfield, and there were no real threats on either goal during the opening minutes.
Senegal created the first threat in the 21st minute with a powerful shot from Pape Gueye from outside the penalty area, but it went just wide of the left post of Mali’s goal.
Eliamin Ndiaye opens the scoring for Senegal against Mali
The “Lions of Teranga” succeeded in opening the scoring in the 27th minute. This happened after a pass from Krepin Diatta that goalkeeper Djigui Diarra failed to handle, leaving the ball in front of Eliamin Ndiaye who easily shot it into the empty net.
المنتخب السنغالي يفتتح التسجيل عن طريق إليمان نداي ⚽️🇸🇳#كأس_أمم_إفريقيا | #مالي_السنغال pic.twitter.com/l9IiDAqowN
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 9, 2026Senegal almost added a second goal before the end of the first half. El Hadji Malick Diouf unleashed a powerful shot in the 45+1 minute after a pass from Sadio Mane, but it went over the crossbar.
Mali suffered a heavy blow in the 45+3 minute, when the referee showed a second yellow card and then a red card to Yves Bissouma, forcing the “Eagles” to finish the match with ten players.
As the second half began, Mali tried to get back into the game. Lassana Coulibaly unleashed a powerful shot in the 48th minute, but Edouard Mendy made a solid save.
Senegal responded with a powerful shot from Idrissa Gueye in the 50th minute, but goalkeeper Diarra was there to make the save.
Mali wasted a golden opportunity to equalize in the 58th minute. This came after a free kick reached Abdoulaye Diaby inside the penalty area, but Edouard Mendy made a brilliant save.
Senegal continued their attacking pressure, with Sadio Mane firing a powerful shot from outside the area in the 66th minute, which was successfully saved by the Malian goalkeeper.
Before the final whistle, Lamine Camara almost secured Senegal’s victory with a second goal in the 90+3 minute, after his shot hit the left post.
هل هذا هو أجمل تصدٍّ في البطولة؟ ✍️🧤#كأس_أمم_إفريقيا | #مالي_السنغال pic.twitter.com/bBBO6jhxd1
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 9, 2026With this result, Senegal qualifies for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, awaiting the winner of the match between Egypt and Ivory Coast.
