AFCON 2025 (Round of 16): Mali vs Tunisia

In the second Round of 16 match of the AFCON 2025, the 10-man Mali beat Tunisia in the penalty shoot-out [1 (3) – 1 (2)] on Saturday (January 3).

Key Match Stats of Mali vs Tunisia (AFCON 2025: Round of 16)

Match Result: Mali 1 (3) – 1 (2) Tunisia

Possession: Mali 28% – 72% Tunisia

Passing Accuracy (Passing Accuracy In Opponents’ Half): Mali 59% (45%) – 87% (77%) Tunisia

Shots (On Target): Mali 8 (1) – 13 (4) Tunisia

Corners Won: Mali 4 – 11 Tunisia

Offsides: Mali 1 – 4 Tunisia

Tackles Success Rate: Mali 72% – 62% Tunisia

Yellow Cards: Mali 4 – 6 Tunisia

Red Cards: Mali 1 – 0 Tunisia

The Match Data: Mali vs Tunisia CAF Official Site

The Mali vs Tunisia match experienced a lot of bookings from the early stages of the match, mainly due to rash tackles.
In the 26th minute, Mali full-back Woyo Coulibaly received a direct red card for a rash tackle.
In the 88th minute, Firas Chaouat broke the deadlock for Tunisia with a header on Elias Saad’s delivery.
In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Mali equalised the scoreline from a penalty. While a handball resulted in a penalty, Lassine Sinayoko scored the goal with his low shot, as the opponent goalkeeper managed to touch the ball but couldn’t stop it.
In the 106th minute, Ali Abdi’s goal for Tunisia was disallowed due to offside, confirmed after VAR.
As Mali were down to 10 men in the 26th minute, they put more focus on the defense, while they hardly had shots on target.
Despite controlling the game, Tunisia failed to impress with their finishes, and it cost them hugely.

Yassine Meriah provided a 1–0 lead for Tunisia
Yves Bissouma from Mali shot over the box, and Tunisia earned a 1–0 lead.
Ali Abdi from Tunisia shot over the box, and Tunisia had a 1–0 lead.
Lassine Sinayoko equalised the scoreline for Mali (1–1).
Tunisia had a 2–1 lead with Elias Saad’s conversion.
Mali’s Nene Dorgeles hit the left post, as Tunisia were ahead by 2–1.
Elias Achouri from Tunisia’s shot was saved, as the Eagles of Carthage still had a 2–1 lead
Gaoussou Diakité scored for Mali, as the scoreline was 2–2 with one shot to go for each team.
Tunisian Ben Romdhane’s shot was saved, as the scoreline was 2–2.
Mali secured the victory after El Bilal Touré scored the last goal, as Mali won the shootout by 3–2.

Mali will now face Senegal, who beat Sudan by 3–1 in the first Round of 16 match, in the first Quarterfinal of the tournament on January 9.