Ivory Coast secured a remarkable 2-1 victory against Mali in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), clinching a spot in the semi-finals despite playing with ten men for over 80 minutes.
The match unfolded at Bouaké stadium, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the host nation, Ivory Coast, and Mali. Under the charged atmosphere, the Elephants sought to extend their impressive AFCON campaign after eliminating Senegal.
Emerse Faé, the coach of Ivory Coast, made strategic decisions, reintroducing Franck Kessié into the starting lineup while opting for Krasso over Haller. On Mali’s side, Eric Chelle adhered to a conventional lineup.
Mali, displaying the aggressive style that defined their AFCONjourney, exerted significant pressure on the Ivorian team, catching Kossounou off guard and narrowly avoiding a penalty.
The VAR intervened, detecting a marginal offside just before the incident. However, Kossounou’s defensive struggles persisted, leading to a penalty for Mali, which was expertly saved by Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana in the 16th minute.
The momentum shifted dramatically when, shortly before halftime, Sinayoko exploited Kossounou’s vulnerability once again.
The Ivorian defender committed a foul, received a second yellow card, and was sent off, leaving Ivory Coast with ten players for the majority of the match.
Entering the second half, Mali, despite having numerical superiority, struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities.
Nene Dorgeles, the Salzburg winger of Ivorian origin, broke the deadlock with a powerful strike, giving Mali the lead in the 73rd minute.
In a gesture of respect towards his country of origin, Dorgeles refrained from celebrating.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ivory Coast, against all odds, found an equalizer in the dying moments of regular time.
Adingra seized an unexpected counterattack opportunity, capitalizing on a shot from Séko Fofana to level the score at 1-1 in the 90th minute.
The breathtaking climax occurred in extra time when, against the run of play, Séko Fofana unleashed a shot that Diakité deftly redirected with a backheel for a stunning goal in the 120th+3 minute.
In an extraordinary turn of events, Ivory Coast secured a 2-1 victory at the last second, setting the stage for a semi-final clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The outnumbered Elephants emerged triumphant in a truly unforgettable scenario that captivated fans and players alike.**
