The logic was respected. Senegal, which faced Mali this Friday in Tangier for the first quarter-final of this 2025 African Cup of Nations, provided the essentials by winning by the smallest of margins (0-1) to validate its ticket for the semi-finals of the competition.
A narrow victory, despite a relatively one-sided match which saw the Malians reduced to 10 at the end of the first period. Already trailing and deprived of their captain Yves Bissouma, who received a second yellow card in added time of the first act (45th +3), the Eagles resisted without really endangering the Lions of Téranga.
Senegal didn’t ask for that much. Especially since after half an hour of play, the Malians had broken down in the face of the offensive pressure put on by the green and whites. Imperial the rest of the match (7 saves), goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was guilty of a nasty handball on a cross from the right and let the ball pass towards Iliman Ndiaye, on the lookout, to open the score (0-1, 27th).
Dominators without reassurance (65% possession, 19 shots to 8), the Blues’ future opponents in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup provide the essentials. They are therefore the first to reach the semi-finals of this 2025 edition of the CAN. They will face the winner of the match between Egypt and Ivory Coast on Wednesday (6 p.m.), which is played this Saturday (8 p.m.).
