AFCON 2025: Senegal beat 10-man Mali to reach semi-finals

Iliman Ndiaye netted after 27 minutes, taking advantage of a goalkeeping howler to put Senegal ahead in a tense west African derby.

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Senegal's Sadio Mane, left, and Mali's Mamadou Sangare fight for the ball during the quarterfinal soccer match between Senegal and Mali. / AP

Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal as Senegal booked a semi-final berth at the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in the last four tournaments, beating 10-man Mali 1-0 in the last eight on Friday.

Ndiaye netted after 27 minutes, taking advantage of a goalkeeping howler to put Senegal ahead in a tense derby against their west African neighbours.

Mali were reduced to 10 men for the second half after captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second caution on the stroke of halftime.

He was booked first for a clumsy challenge in the 25th minute and was dismissed after a needless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Mali were down to 10 men from the 26th minute of their previous clash against Tunisia and still managed to squeeze through on penalties but there was no recovery this time around against a polished Senegalese outfit.