Senegal favored against Sudan, Mali pulls off miracle against Tunisia at 2025 AFCON

Despite Sudan’s early opening goal, Senegal imposed the expected outcome and qualified for the quarter-finals.

The 2021 African champions will face Mali, who qualified via a penalty shootout after a draw (1-1).

Playing with 10 men since the 26th minute, the Carthage Eagles created too few clear chances, despite a clear dominance in possession.

Responding to Chaouat’s late opener (88′), Sinayoko equalized from the penalty spot in the 90’+6th minute. This was the third goal scored by Mali and the sixth conceded by Tunisia in the competition so far.

Mali ultimately qualified 3-2 in the penalty shootout, thanks to two saves from their goalkeeper.

They will need much more on January 9th against their Senegalese neighbors.

The Senegalese Lions, caught cold by Abdallah’s brilliant goal (0-1, 6′), can thank Pape Gueye for equalizing in the 40th minute, preventing the 2021 African champions from sinking into doubt.

Just as Sudan, qualified as the best third-placed team, thought they had held on until halftime, the Villarreal defensive midfielder doubled the lead with a fine left-footed shot (45’+3).

In the second half, Ibrahim Mbaye, the young European champion with PSG, made it 3-1 with a composed finish after an assist from Sadio Mané.

At 17 years and 344 days old, he becomes the youngest goalscorer in his national team’s history and the second youngest in the competition’s history after Gabon’s Shiva Star in the 2000 edition.