Senegal has become the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali in Friday’s quarterfinal clash held in Tanger. The result ensures that the Lions of Teranga remain firmly on track in their quest for a second continental title, showcasing both resilience and tactical discipline throughout the match.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal of the game, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Djigui Diarra. Ndiaye’s alert finish came after Senegal had applied sustained pressure in the final third, highlighting the forward’s clinical instincts and composure under pressure. The strike proved decisive, allowing Senegal to maintain control despite Mali’s spirited attempts to level the score later in the match.
Early controversy and costly mistake
From the outset, the game was played at a frenetic pace, with both sides eager to establish dominance. Mali immediately created an early controversy, appealing for a penalty inside the first three minutes when Lassine Sinayoko went down under a challenge from Kalidou Koulibaly. The referee waved play on, and VAR confirmed the decision, leaving the West African side frustrated at missing a potential early opener.
Senegal had their own appeals shortly after, when the ball struck Abdoulaye Diaby’s arm inside the penalty area. Again, no penalty was awarded, demonstrating that the match would be tightly officiated and that players would need to maintain discipline to avoid influencing the outcome through errors or rash challenges.
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Mali captain Yves Bissouma received a yellow card in the 23rd minute for an arm-to-face challenge on Sadio Mané, momentarily disrupting his side’s momentum. Senegal immediately capitalized on this lapse, with Djigui Diarra committing a costly mistake just four minutes later. Diarra spilled Ismaila Sarr’s low cross, and Ndiaye was quick to react, tapping the ball into the net from close range to give Senegal the crucial lead.
Red card shifts the balance
Mali’s task became significantly more difficult just before halftime when Bissouma received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Idrissa Gana Gueye, reducing the team to ten men. The red card dramatically shifted the balance in favor of Senegal, allowing the Lions of Teranga more freedom to control possession and dictate the tempo in the second half while forcing Mali to adjust their tactics under numerical disadvantage.
Mali push, Mendy stands firm
Despite being down to ten men, Mali showed commendable resilience and tested Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on multiple occasions. Early in the second half, Mendy was forced into sharp saves to deny dangerous attempts from Ousmane Camara and Lassana Coulibaly. Mali continued to press and create chances, with Diarra making amends for his earlier error by executing a series of impressive stops to prevent Sadio Mané and Pathé Ciss from extending Senegal’s lead.
Senegal, however, managed the closing stages with poise and tactical discipline, absorbing pressure effectively and maintaining defensive solidity to see out the game without further damage. The team’s composure under pressure and disciplined defending ensured that Mali’s numerical advantage in attack did not translate into goals, allowing Senegal to maintain their slim lead until the final whistle.
The 1-0 victory ends Mali’s AFCON 2025 campaign, eliminating them from the tournament and leaving them to reflect on what might have been had early controversies and mistakes not hampered their performance. Meanwhile, Senegal now turn their attention to the semifinals, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the remaining quarterfinal match between Egypt and Ivory Coast, scheduled to take place on Saturday in Agadir. The win reinforces Senegal’s status as a serious contender for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, highlighting both their tactical maturity and individual brilliance in key moments of high-stakes football.