Afcon 2023: Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast – Oumar Diakité's 122nd-minute winning goal sends the 10-a-side Elephants into the semi-finals

Hosts Ivory Coast produced another spectacular escape at the African Cup of Nations, with Oumar Diakité's 122nd-minute winning goal sending the 10-a-side Elephants into the semi-finals at the expense of heartbroken Mali.

However, the Elephants equalized in the 90th minute with Simon Adinla's opportune finish, and with virtually the last kick of extra time Diakite deflected homer Seko Fofana's shot to seal the win.

However, Diakité left the field with mixed emotions, receiving a second yellow card for taking off his shirt during the celebrations, and will now play in Wednesday's semi-final against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (20:00 GMT). It has been decided that he will be suspended from participating.

After the final whistle, several Mali players surrounded referee Mohamed Adel and scolded him, leading to unpleasant scenes and Hamari Traore being shown a red card for overreaching in his protest.

It was hard to see what the Eagles were complaining about, as there seemed to be nothing wrong with the goal, which sparked jubilation at the orange-hued Stade de la Paix.

A free kick was awarded to Fofana on the edge of the area, and as the shot went through a crowded goalmouth, Diakité, with his back to the goal, instinctively stuck out his foot and flicked the ball past Mali goalkeeper Gigi Diarra. I skipped it.

The forward's quick thinking from French club Reims keeps the hosts' hopes of winning a third Afcon title alive after an incredible journey in a competition that has seen them on the brink of elimination on several occasions. ing.

Elephants find yet another way out

Despite losing two games, they narrowly made it through the group stage – and Coach Jean-Louis Gasset was fired midway through the tournament. In the process, the knockout stage was equally hair-raising for the hosts.

Under interim coach Emers Faet, they rallied with another late goal to force extra time and penalties to beat defending champions Senegal in the last 16.

nevertheless That drama It was completely overshadowed by Saturday's events in Bouake.

Fortune looked to be on their side again when Kossou blocked Sikou Niakate's shot inside the box with his outstretched hand, but the Malian was offside in the build-up and escaped punishment.

It took a few minutes to clear up the confusion, but when play resumed Kossounou conceded to Shinayoko on the wrong flank and bundled up, but Adama Nos Traore's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Yahia Fofana.

The hosts' luck seemed to have finally run out when centre-back Kossou, who had been booked for a penalty incident, received a second yellow card for tripping the same player just before half-time.

But they defended diligently, limiting Mari's long-range attacks, and with less than 20 minutes remaining one of them paid off as Dolgeles cut in from the left and converted a top corner.

The Elephants remained undaunted and responded well, with Diakité and Wilfried Shingo heading close to goal, Fofana's shot rebounded perfectly and Brighton forward Adingra leveled for the Ivorians from eight yards out.

They continued to create good chances in extra time, before Sebastien Haller headed a shot against the bar, but with time approaching and another shoot-out looming, Diaquité dramatically sealed the deal.

However, they will have to play without him in the last four match against DR Congo. Serge Aurier and Christian Kouame were also given one-match suspensions after being suspended for two consecutive games.

Mali's jinx with its neighbors continues

Mali will almost certainly have to answer to African football authorities following the disgraceful post-match refereeing scene, but they only have themselves to blame for the defeat.

They didn't really try to take advantage of their numerical advantage, and even after giving up the lead to Dolgeles, they backed away nervously.

From then on, their real breakthrough came in extra time when Dolgelles' dangerous ball across the box was almost deflected into his own net by Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boley. It was just that.

Of course, the Eagles will look back on the early penalty miss by Hull winger Traore, but it was a great save from Fofana who quickly ran low and hard to his left to deny the ball.

Unbeaten and leading their group, Mali have never lost in the Afcon quarter-finals, having won all five times they reached that stage, but will reflect on another loss to their West African neighbors. is what happened.

This result and its history will be a bitter pill to swallow for Eric Schell's side, who have lost 13 of the past 19 meetings between the two countries, including Afcon's defeat in the last 16 in 2019. .