Djigui Diarra produced a heroic performance to earn the Man of the Match award as Mali edged Tunisia on penalties to reach the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals.
The Eagles won 3–2 in the shoot-out after a gruelling 1–1 draw over 120 minutes at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Mali’s night became complicated in the 27th minute when Wayo Coulibaly was sent off, forcing Diarra and his defence to absorb heavy Tunisian pressure with ten men.
Tunisia finally broke through in the 88th minute, Firat Chaouat heading in an Elias Saad cross to make it 1–0 and seemingly end Mali’s journey. But deep into stoppage time, a handball by Yassine Meriah offered Mali a lifeline and Lassine Sinayoko buried the 90+6‑minute penalty to force extra time.
With legs tiring, clear chances were rare in extra time, and Diarra’s composure loomed large as the game went to penalties.
In the shoot-out, he made the decisive interventions while his teammates converted three kicks to Tunisia’s two, sealing a dramatic victory and setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Senegal.
