CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco 1 – 1 Mali FT
Lassine Sinayoko scored his second goal of the 2025 Afcon following a strike in Mali’s opener against Zambia [Getty Images]
Mali rallied to draw against Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Rabat, leaving the hosts on the verge of advancing to the knockout stage.
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This match featured two penalties, both awarded after interventions from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) prompting referee Abdou Abdel Mefire to review his decisions.
Brahim Diaz opened the scoring for Morocco from the penalty spot in the dying moments of the first half after the ball hit Mali left-back Nathan Gassama’s hand.
Mali responded with their own penalty just after the hour mark when Lassine Sinayoko was fouled by Jawad El Yamiq. Sinayoko kept his composure amidst the crowd’s noise to score beneath goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Eagles goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made a crucial leg save against Youssef En-Nesyri and had to stay sharp to prevent a potential own goal by Woyo Coulibaly in the 10th minute of added time, with Mali managing to secure a point that keeps their hopes alive for a place in the last 16.
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Morocco leads the group with four points, followed by Mali and Zambia with two points each, and Comoros at the bottom with one point after their earlier 0-0 draw against the Southern Africans.
Group A concludes on Monday at 19:00 GMT, with Morocco facing Zambia in the capital while Mali will return to Casablanca to play against Comoros.
Morocco’s Record Winning Streak Ends
Referee Abdou Abdel Mefire awarded penalties to both sides after VAR consultations [Getty Images]
Morocco, aiming for their first Afcon title in 50 years, had previously overcome stubborn opposition from Comoros in their opening match on Sunday, while Mali had drawn after conceding an injury-time equalizer against Zambia just a day prior.
Eagles coach Tom Saintfiet made five changes, notably bringing back captain Yves Bissouma from injury while resting El Bilal Toure, Nene Dorgeles, and Kamory Doumbia.
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With captain Achraf Hakimi sidelined, Diaz took center stage for the Atlas Lions, trying to match his performance against Comoros. He almost made an impact in the 17th minute with a powerful shot that Diarra managed to partly deflect, denying Ismael Saibari from scoring from close range.
The pivotal moment arrived just before halftime when Diaz’s impressive run led to the ball striking Gassama’s hand, with VAR intervening to confirm the penalty after Mefire reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
In contrast, there was little debate when El Yamiq fouled Sinayoko, though it took time for Mefire to reach for VAR again, as he appeared to have a blocked view of the play.
In reaction, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui implemented a triple substitution, replacing Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, and Ayoub El Kaabi, with experienced striker En-Nesyri getting a key opportunity after receiving a pass from Neil El Aynaoui.
However, it was in stoppage time where the most dangerous moment occurred as Coulibaly, under no pressure, misplayed a back header, forcing Diarra into a full-stretch save to prevent a disastrous own goal.
This draw marks the end of Morocco’s impressive 19-match winning streak, although the Atlas Lions remain unbeaten in their last 22 matches since being eliminated in the last 16 at the 2023 Afcon.