On Friday, the Lions of Teranga won a hard-fought West African Mali vs Senegal derby in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The win was only 1–0, but it was important because it put Senegal in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
Senegal beat a strong Mali team at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Morocco. The game was defined by a goal in the first half, strong defense, and a red card.
Mali vs Senegal: A Close Game from the Start
It was clear from the start of Mali vs. Senegal that both teams were determined to show who was in charge in this important AFCON match.
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Senegal, who won the AFCON title in 2021, came into the game with a strong pedigree and tactical discipline. Mali, on the other hand, were eager to keep their spirited tournament run going, despite having not won a game in regulation time prior to this fixture.
Early exchanges were tense, and Mali showed that they could sometimes get past Senegal’s defense. In fact, Mali’s Nathan Gassama forced an early intervention from the Senegalese back line around the 24th minute, as the Eagles tested their opponents and sought an unexpected breakthrough.
But Senegal vs. Mali quickly changed direction in Senegal’s favor as the Lions of Teranga started to get more consistent possession and created chances.
Iliman Ndiaye Breaks the Deadlock
The decisive moment in Mali vs Senegal arrived in the 27th minute when Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye took advantage of a rare mistake by Mali’s Djigui Diarra in goalkeeping distribution to score his first goal of the tournament.
Ndiaye was the first to get to the loose ball in the penalty area, and he calmly scored from close range, giving Senegal a crucial 1–0 lead.
Red Card Changes the Game
Mali were trying to get back on track after falling behind when the Mali vs. Senegal game took a big turn in first half stoppage time. Yves Bissouma, the captain of Mali, received a second yellow card, which forced left the Eagles to play the remainder of the match with only 10 players. The dismissal stemmed from a foul in midfield that earned Mali appeals for a review — but VAR and the referee upheld the decision.
Bissouma’s presence had been crucial in shielding Mali’s defence and linking play into attack. His departure forced coach Saintfiet to rethink how his team would play in the second half when they were down a player.
Senegal Dominates Second Half, Mali Defends Bravely
With the extra man and a narrow lead from the first half of Mali vs Senegal, Senegal took control of possession and dictated the tempo after the break. The Teranga Lions’ approach was methodical: probing patiently for openings while limiting Mali’s counter-attacks.
The match stats showed that Senegal were clearly in charge, with a big edge in possession and several shot attempts. But as the game went on, it became clear that Mali’s defense, led by their goalkeeper Diarra, would not give up easily.
Diarra made some amazing saves in the second half, including stopping shots from Sadio Mané and Pathé Ciss. This kept Mali in the game even though they had only ten men on the pitch.
Mali nearly threatened a comeback around the 55th minute when defender Abdoulaye Diaby advanced for a free-kick, but Senegal’s veteran keeper Edouard Mendy denied the attempt with a superb reflex save.
Senegal couldn’t add to their lead despite constant pressure, and Mali defended well and with determination to keep the small lead until the final whistle.
Tactical Breakdown and Key Players
A few tactical themes came up in Mali vs. Senegal:
- Senegal’s Structure: Senegal maintained a strong, balanced formation under coach Pape Thiaw that let them easily switch between attack and defense. Their midfield did a good job of keeping the ball, and Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye helped with stability and attacking transitions.
- Mali’s Resilience: Even with 10 men after the red card, Mali showed tactical discipline and put structured defending first. Even though they didn’t have a lot of offensive options, they set up their lines to make things difficult for Senegal and relied on moments of skill in transition.
- Goalkeeping Heroics: Both goalkeepers were very important. Diarra made a number of key saves for Mali despite making a mistake earlier, and Mendy’s calm and collected play helped Senegal stay ahead.
Thoughts and Reactions
After the final whistle of Mali vs. Senegal, both teams’ reactions showed what kind of game it was:
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw praised his team’s calmness and discipline in organizing, saying he was confident in their chances of making it to the semifinals but also pointing out areas where they could be more clinical in future games.
Tom Saintfiet of Mali was proud of how hard his players fought and how hard they worked, especially since they were at a disadvantage in numbers. However, he admitted that the match was decided by very small margins.
“It was not an easy match against a talented Mali team. Had we been more clinical in front of goal we could have scored more goals. It was a difficult match for us because we had to play (half) of it with 10 men. I am proud of the players for what they did, not only tonight but throughout the AFCON.” Tom Saintfiet said after the Mali vs Senegal match, according to SuperSport.
The game showed how important discipline and split-second decisions, like red cards, can be in high-stakes knockout football.
Senegal’s Historic Qualification for the Semi-finals
Senegal became the first country to reach the AFCON 2025 semi-finals after beating Mali 1–0. This win kept Senegal’s unbeaten streak in 90-minute games at this tournament going and showed that they are one of the most consistent teams on the continent. Fans and analysts alike are happy with their success as they try to keep their title defense going.
This is Senegal’s third time in the semifinals in the last four AFCON tournaments, which shows how strong and stable the squad is. They are now waiting to see who wins the next quarter-final between Egypt and the Ivory Coast to find out who they will face next on their way to the final.
Mali’s Exit and What Comes Next
The loss to Senegal in the quarterfinals ends Mali’s AFCON 2025 journey. Even though they were well-organized and resilient, especially when they were down to ten men after Bissouma’s red card, they couldn’t find the consistency or finishing touch they needed to beat Senegal. Their campaign was full of exciting games, like the dramatic penalty shootout win over Tunisia in the last 16.
Mali will learn a lot from this tournament and look forward to future ones. They may be able to build on the toughness and competitiveness they showed against experienced teams like Senegal.
What Happens Next for Senegal
Senegal is one of the semi-finalists in AFCON 2025. Their next game will be against the winner of the tie between Egypt and Ivory Coast. They have a good chance of making a strong push to get back to the AFCON final and maybe even keep their title hopes alive considering their defense is well-organized, their attack is creative, and their tactics are balanced.
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As the tournament comes to a close, fans will be paying close attention to how Senegal handles their players and strategies.
Conclusion: A Tough West African Derby
In the end, Mali vs. Senegal was a game of strategy, close calls, and big moments. Senegal won 1–0 because they were very opportunistic, managed the game well, and were patient with their tactics when things got tough.
Even after going down to ten men, Mali’s team effort and determination earned them respect, but they couldn’t change the course of the game.
Fans will remember the quarter-final for its nerve-wracking intensity, Iliman Ndiaye’s game-winning goal in the first half, and a red card that changed the course of the game. This win was a statement for Senegal, and it gives them confidence and momentum as they move on to the AFCON 2025 semifinals.
