Mali came from behind to draw with Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, which leaves the host nation on the brink of a place in the knockout stage.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
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Match Report
It proved to be a tale of two penalties at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervening on both occasions to send referee Abdou Abdel Mefire to his screen.
Brahim Diaz put Morocco ahead from the spot deep in first-half stoppage time after the ball struck the hand of Mali left-back Nathan Gassama.
But the Eagles got a spot-kick of their own just after the hour mark when Lassine Sinayoko was scythed down by Jawad El Yamiq, and the striker held his nerve amid the whistles to squeeze his effort under Yassine Bounou.
Eagles keeper Djigui Diarra made a fine save with his legs to deny Youssef En-Nesyri and also had to be alert to stop Woyo Coulibaly scoring an own goal in the 10th minute of added time, with the West Africans ultimately settling for a point which will keep them in contention for a last-16 place.
Morocco top the group on four points, with Mali and Zambia on two points and Comoros bottom on one point after their 0-0 draw with the southern Africans earlier on Friday.
Group A concludes on Monday (19:00 GMT), with the hosts taking on Zambia in the capital and Mali returning to Casablanca to face Comoros.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Highlight from Morocco vs Mali
41' Highlight from Morocco vs Mali
50' Penalty Goal! Morocco 1-0 Mali (Brahim Díaz)
64' Penalty Goal! Morocco 1-1 Mali (Lassine Sinayoko)
78' Highlight from Morocco vs Mali
Line-ups
Morocco XI: Bounou, Amrabat, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Brahim, El Yamiq, A. El Kaabi, Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Anass Salah-Eddine, Ismael Saibari
Subs: Munir, Mohamed Chibi, Masina, Hakimi, En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Oussama Targhalline, Youssef Belammari, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, El Mehdi Al Harrar, Bilal El Khannouss, Chemsdine Talbi, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
Mali XI: Coulibaly, Djigui Diarra, Bissouma, Aliou Dieng, Abdoulaye Diaby, Lassine Sinayoko, Woyo Coulibaly, Ousmane Camara, Mamadou Sangaré, Nathan Gassama, Mahamadou Doumbia
Subs: Mamadou Samassa, Ismael Diawara, Ibrahima Sissoko, Mamadou Fofana, Haidara, Mohamed Camara, Amadou Dante, El Bilal Touré, Mamadou Camara, Fodé Doucouré, Dorgeles Nene, Kamory Doumbia, Mamadou Doumbia, Gaoussou Diakité, Gaoussou Diarra