Ivory Coast 2-1 Mail AET: Oumar Diakite scores last-minute winner as hosts book Africa Cup of Nations semi-final place
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ByEurosport
Updated 04/02/2024 at 07:06 GMT
Ivory Coast stunned Mali to book their place in the final four of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic 2-1 win. Following Adama Traore's missed penalty for Mali, Nene Dorgeles thought his second-half goal secured the win. However, Simon Adingra levelled in the last minute before Oumar Diakite took centre stage as the match looked to be heading for penalties.
Ivory Coast's forward #14 Oumar Diakite (C) takes his jersey off as he celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 quarter-final football match between Mali and Ivory Coast at the Stade de la
Image credit: Getty Images
Ivory Coast pulled off an astonishing extra-time comeback win despite being a man down as they beat Mali 2-1 on Saturday evening.
The hosts needed a penalty shootout to get past Senegal in their first-round knockout match, while Mali beat Burkina Faso 2-1.
The first half was marked by chaos as Sikou Niakate had a penalty appeal for handball turned down as he was offside, before Odilon Kossounou conceded one for a foul on Lassine Sinayoko, only for Adama Traore to miss.
Just before half-time, Sinayoko brought another desperate foul from the Kossounou, who saw red.
As the weakened side tired, Nene found room to fire in a brilliant strike from 30 yards out to take the lead, but with the game almost over, Simon Adingra prodded home an injury-time equaliser.
With no breakthrough in extra time the match seemed to be set for penalties before a knockout blow from Oumar Diakite in added time of extra time. Diakite was shown red in a frantic finish to the match.
Talking point - Ivory Coast have been chaotic from the start
Sacking their manager in the group stages, you imagined it could not get more difficult.
Their determination saw them through, yet again, and Oumar Diakite’s winner was as ridiculous as you could imagine given everything they had put their fans through.
At this stage, it is hard to bet against them.
Player of the match - Oumar Diakite (Ivory Coast)
Sent off, and a match-winner. He will miss the semi-final but without him his team might never have made it.
Player ratings
Mali: Diarra 6, Adama Traore 5, Haidara 5, Kouyate 5, Sacko 5, Hamari Traore 5, Coulibaly 6, Niakate 6, Samassekou 6, Sinayoko 8, Doumbia 6. Subs: Diabate 6, Nene 7, Boubacar Traore 6, Mamadou Fofana 6, Bissouma 6, Sissoko 6.
Ivory Coast: Yaha Fofana 7, Konan 6, Kossonou 4, Kouayate 6, N’Dicka 5, Seri 5, Seko Fofana 5, Kessie 6, Gradel 6, Pepe 5, Kouame 5: Subs: Singo 6, Boly 6, Haller 6, Diakite 8, Adingra 7.
Key events
17’ - PENALTY FOR MALI! SAVED! - Fofana dives to his left to clasp the ball with strong hands. Koussonou fouls Sinayoko in the penalty area, but Adama Traore misses.
44’ - SINAYOKO FOULED! KOSSOUNOU OFF - The Ivory Coast lose the ball in defence and the ball is quickly worked down the middle to Sinayoko, who brings a foul as the turns him inside out.
71’ - GOAL! MALI 1-0 IVORY COAST - NENE SCORES - In space, 30 yards out, he looks up curls in an outstanding strike. Nene, born in this country, does not celebrate.
83’ - CHANCE! DIAKITE HEADER- He rose at the back post and had the keeper desperate as his header went inches wide.
90+1’ GOAL! IVORY COAST 1-1 MALI - ADINGRA SCORED - The sub latches onto a loose ball in the box after he laid it back to Fofana, and he lunged to poke home the equaliser.
96’ - HALLER HEADER HITS THE BAR - Singo's cross is perfect for the striker but he thunders his header against the woodwork.
GOAL! IVORY COAST 2-1 MALI - DIAKITE SCORES - The free kick is cleared and it comes out, it's fired into the box and Diakite turns it into the net for a massive comeback!
Key stat
- Mali had never lost an AFCON quarter final before.
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