It’s finally time for me to sign off after that epic and I’ll allow Jonathan Wilson’s report to make sense of the madness that unfolded in front of us.
His opening line sums it all up really: How often can a side flirt with elimination before they finally go out?
Ivory Coast at AFCON:
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 3, 2024
▪️Lost two of their three group games
▪️Lost 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea
▪️Sacked their head coach mid tournament
▪️Reached the knockouts as the fourth-best third-placed team
▪️Only one win within 90 minutes
They are through to the semi-finals 😱🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/RucKr2wEoX
“The undead team,” is the subject line of Kári Tulinius’s email:
He says: “I had pretty much given the hosts up for dead after their defeat to Equatorial Guinea, and now they’re in the semi-finals. Apparently their fans have referred to them as the undead team, and now they’re two matches away from immortality.”
I’m not quite sure what exactly Mali were unhappy about at the end, such was the mayhem that ensued. But what’s beyond debate is the fact Mali threw that game away; they didn’t make enough of their numerical advantage (which they enjoyed for more than 70 minutes) and they allowed the emotion of the occasion to best them.
You have to credit the Ivory Coast spirit, of course. They were never beaten, they refused to lie down and their submine run to the latter stages of their own tournament goes on, and on, and on. Magnificent stuff, with Simon Adingra levelling at the end of normal time, and then Oumar Diakité flicking home the winner in the 121st minute. Wow. Just wow.
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This is the goal that sends Ivory Coast through to an AFCON semi-final against DR Congo. And who the heck is going to bet against them after this latest Houdini act?
IVORY COAST score a LAST-MINUTE GOAL in extra-time 🔥🔥
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2024
WOW. pic.twitter.com/vDTfuszc4K
FT: Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast
No, the final whistle goes and Ivory Coast celebrate an utterly remarkable win! They continue to defy the odds in this tournament.
There’s chaos between the Malian players and the officials at the end. Good grief, what have we just witnessed?
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They quite literally think it’s all over … but it’s not yet! But emotions have certainly spilled over betwee the two set of players at the end. Coaches, substitutes and players are coming to blows. Mali have one final chance, do they?
GOAL! Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast (Diakité, 120)
That’s the moment and what an unbelievable moment it is!
Ivory Coast have won it with virtually the final kick! I CAN’T SPAKE.
Mali failed to clear from the set-piece and it fell nicely for Seko Fofana to drive low and powerfully, through the crowd of bodies – possibly via a deflection – before Oumar Diakité got the decisive flick which diverted it into the net.
Updated
ET 30 mins: Is there one more big chance for either side left in this epic football match?
As if 120 minutes wasn’t enough, we’re going to have one more. Just one. Ivory Coast have a free-kick opportunity! Everyone will pile into the Mali box here, surely.
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ET 27 mins: It’s really Mali who are making most of the running now, late in the game, with a fatigued Ivory Coast team seemingly happy to hang on for penalty kicks.
Players on both sides are suffering from cramp.
ET 26 mins: It’s a teasing cross in from the right by Diabate … but it cannot be met by anyone in a white Malian shirt.
ET 24 mins: Nene tries his luck again from range, but this curling effort doesn’t match his earlier goal in terms of quality. Way wide.
ET 23 mins: Hamari Traore wins a corner for Mali. Are they slowly turning the screw again? They need better deliveries from these situations – so decide to work it short. Bissouma loses the ball at a vital moment.
ET 21 mins: In Adingra and Haller, Ivory Coast have two attacking outlets that have really helped them since falling behind. If they can find either man in space in the next few minutes, they could create the decisive chance.
ET 20 mins: Nene slides it across the Ivorian six-yard box and it’s nearly a terrible moment for Singo as he almost turns it into his own net. It’s a corner instead.
Fofana continues to handle brilliantly from these Mali corners, catching the cross without too much pressure being applied to him.
ET 18 mins: Bissouma is getting on the ball on the edge of the Ivorian box, but the defending is as solid as you like right now.
Mali try and work it from side to side and Adingra gives away a silly free-kick, barging into Nene.
ET 16 mins: So you know how I said extra time was looming before? Are penalties looming now? You’d have to fancy Ivory Coast if it goes that way.
The Ivory Coast fans are in incredibly good voice. A wall of orange noise greets the start of the second extra time period.
Half time in extra time. Grab a quick cuppa, but don’t be long, we’ll have 15 more minutes to try and find a winner.
Boubacar Traore’s long-range shot was the only chance in the final couple of minutes of that first period.
ET 13 mins: Mali have taken off a central midfield player, in the hard-running Samassekou, for a genuine striker in the shape of Ibrahim Sissoko. They don’t want this to go to penalties.
ET 12 mins: It really doesn’t seem like Ivory Coast have 10 men now. It seems like an even money game. Bissouma, not long on the pitch, unleashes a left-footed shot but the orange shirts rush in to block.
ET 10 mins: Mali haven’t been particularly potent from corners, but this time Kouyate gets his head on a good delivery from the right but can only nod it over. Another big chance, that!
ET 8 mins: The orange-clad spectators are making themselves heard. Ivory Coast really believe they can nick this, but will they rue that Haller chance?
Mali are on the attack now.
ET 6 mins: Crossbar! Haller with the leap, the hang in the air and the header and you really felt he was going to score, after meeting Kouyate’s cross. But no, the woodwork denied him.
Then Adingra is flagged offside when trying to sneak it down the left.
ET 5 mins: Wasted pass after wasted pass. If Éric Chelle had hair, he’d be tearing it out right now. Mali must regain their composure.
ET 3 mins: I’d suggest Mali just need to keep the ball for a while, and that’s exactly what they’re doing now.
A correction from Joe Pearson:
12th man? Since they’re down one, isn’t the Ivory Coast crowd the 11th man?
Fair point.
ET 1 min: Mali appeal for a penalty early in the extra-time period but it came off the chest of Oumar Diakite.
Extra time begins
Fancy 30 more minutes of madness?
Oh, go on then. Mali kick off the first period of extra time.
The two managers are taking a moment to gather their players together for a pre-extra-time pep talk.
Emerse Faé will surely be imploring his players to listen to the roar inside the stadium. Ivory Coast have really used the 12th man tonight.
FT: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast
Into extra time we go!
Mali will be kicking themselves. It really seemed as if Nene Dorgeles’s thunderbolt was going to fire the Eagles into the semi-finals, but Ivory Coast continue to fight for their lives at their home tournament.
Simon Adingra’s last-gasp equaliser is the latest example of never-say-say fighting spirit from this Ivorian outfit. They’ll believe they can get through this tie, by hook or by crook, despite having 10 men.
Updated
90 mins + 5: This is pure chaosball from both sides now, with just long balls, 50-50 duels and a lot of panicked running around.
Mali are trying to calm themselves down, but they’ve seemingly forgotten how to pass to each other, let alone the fact they’ve got an extra man.
This was the moment.
OH my WORD!! 😨
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2024
Simon Adingra has put Ivory Coast LEVEL against Mali in the final minutes of the game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KLUCXMjZ7D
90 mins + 3: Now I’m definitely allowed to say that extra-time is LOOMING.
Unless …
90 mins + 2: The Peace Stadium of Bouaké is most certainly not peaceful at the moment. It’s loud, it’s bouncing and while Niakate receives some treatment after a clash with Haller in the buildup to that goal, everyone takes a short breather.
Added time: Seven minutes of it. The noise is deafening inside the stadium.
GOAL! Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast (Adingra, 90)
Adingra has made the impact! Bedlam!
After a long ball downfield led to a shot from Fofana, it bounced kindly for the substitute to prod it home with virtually his first touch since coming on.
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89 mins: Mali have made a couple more changes, including taking off Sinayoko, who has arguably been the player of the match. A bit of game management is coming into it now from the Eagles, which is probably wise.
87 mins: Brighton’s Simon Adingra is the latest player to be introduced for Ivory Coast. He hasn’t been given very long to make an impact.
85 mins: Djigui Diarra clutches on to another Ivory Coast header from another set piece.
But now it’s opening up for Mali on the counter …
84 mins: Mali are losing their discipline and it’s now set piece after set piece for Ivory Coast, which suits them just fine. There’s been a shift of momentum, as Kessie falls to the ground in the box and asks for a penalty.
83 mins: Goodness me that’s close to 1-1. Diakhite rises to power a bullet header from Kessi’s corner and it shaves the outside of the post. So near and yet so far.
82 mins: Good forward play by Haller to hold it up and then Kessie allows it to run out for a corner. Is there a late equaliser in this?
80 mins: Coulibaly is booked for a spicy tackle and it means Ivory Coast have a free-kick in a decent position to chip into the mixer, which Seri does … without finding a target. Frustration.
78 mins: It’s Mali who look more likely to score the second goal of this game, in all truth.
The crowd are trying to rally the Elephants.
Mali might owe it to Ezra Finkelstein for that goal, it seems, as he emails in:
I was shouting at Dorgeles as he took his time before the goal ‘Shoot it, just shoot it’. In the end he must have heard me because he did just that.
Feast your eyes on it, people:
MALI WITH A CURLER!! 🔥
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2024
Nene Dorgeles scores an absolute BEAUTY for Mali to take the LEAD! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/DruB5TB4qM
75 mins: It’s so difficult for Ivory Coast to build anything, such is their numerical disadvantage.
They’ll need to gamble at some stage, as the players take a cooling break.
72 mins: OK, so Ivory Coast need to respond and they’re sending on Oumar Diakite as their first move after falling behind.
It was going to take something special to break the deadlock – and Nene’s strike was just that.
GOAL! Mali 1-0 Ivory Coast (Nene Dorgeles, 71)
What a goal from the substitute! It’s an incredible strike from range!
He found space from about 20 yards or so, smashed it into the top corner but didn’t celebrate – as he was born in Ivory Coast. Take a bow, though, Nene.
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71 mins: N’Dicka continues to be a thorn in Mali’s side, making a series of clearances and blocks to keep trouble away.
69 mins: I must admit to being disappointed by Mali. They should be bossing this game, applying endless pressure, but instead it’s scrappy and disjointed – the way the 10 men of Ivory Coast would want it.
Haller has been ploughing a lone furrow up top for the Elephants, a thankless task you’d say, but he’s finally getting a bit of service now.
67 mins: It’s the Eagles’ turn to send in a corner, which Diabate swings in towards the near post and Kessie has to be alert to nod it over his own goal. Another corner – but Fofana catches this one, to prompt rowdy cheers from the stands.
66 mins: What’s the earliest point at which I’m allowed to say extra time is ‘looming’?
Someone ask Adam Hurrey.
64 mins: Chance for Singo from a rare Ivory Coast corner! It was virtually a free header at the back post but there were bodies between him and the goal and it was blocked.
62 mins: Fousseni Diabate and Nene Dorgeles are coming on for Mali, replacing Haidara and Traore, who were their two players on yellow cards.
Even so, it’s surprising to see Haidara removed. Perhaps that injury niggle from the previous game was affecting him.
61 mins: Nice interplay from Doumbia and Sinayoko almost unlocks the Ivorian defence, but still the host nation have been able to hold Mali at arms-length since the restart.
Mali are going to make some changes.
59 mins: This second half is so fascinating, the crowd have decided to turn their phone lights on and wave them about …
58 mins: Mali have had all the ball in the past few minutes, but have done precious little with it.
Fofana is aiming his goal-kicks long for Ivory Coast, but the 10-men are struggling to pounce on the second balls.
55 mins: The last time I saw crossing worse than Mali’s this evening, Manchester United were playing out a chaotic draw with Fulham under David Moyes.
That final ball, eh? Elusive, it remains.
53 mins: The crowd are really playing their part. Ivory Coast need all the help they can get and, to be fair, they’re battling well.
Mali still haven’t carved out too many clearcut chances for all their dominance of this match.
51 mins: Haidara fancies a pop from range and it’s not the worst strike, albeit Fofana can easily punch it away to safety.
49 mins: Man the barricades. Mali are coming with wave after wave of attack at the start of this second half. A couple of half-chances are headed wide, the latter from Boubacar Kouyate.
47 mins: It looks like a 5-3-1 now from Ivory Coast Emerse Faé, with the intention of putting men behind the ball and looking to counter up to Haller when they can.
The Borussia Dortmund striker is already making his presence felt.
Second half: We’re back under way in Bouaké.
Willy Boly and Sébastien Haller are on for Ivory Coast at half-time, replacing Christian Kouame and Serge Aurier, who had both been booked in that first half. The Elephants aren’t risking another red card.
Our other live football offering right now is Sheffield United v Aston Villa, which is looking really close and tight. Can’t call a winner.
The two major highlights from that first half:
Saved by FOFANA!! 😨
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2024
Adama Traore wastes a huge opportunity to score from the penalty spot for Mali! pic.twitter.com/8E4TpjUwyt
"A nightmare half for Odilon Kossounou" 😮
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2024
The defender for Ivory Coast is shown a second yellow card for his foul and is OFF! 🟨 pic.twitter.com/2YncXOkI2q
HT: Mali 0-0 Ivory Coast
An action-packed, albeit goalless, half of classic Afcon knockout football comes to a close and Mali will be scratching their heads wondering how they’re not at least a goal ahead. It was really an Odilon Kossounou disasterclass: he gave away a penalty that was chalked off by VAR, then conceded one that was given but missed by Adama Traore, then his nightmare was compounded with a second yellow card on the brink of half time.
Mali have a one-player advantage but they do not have the half-time advantage on the scoreboard. Who knows what’s to come in the second half?
Updated
45 mins + 4: There’s another flash point and this time it involves Haidara in the centre of the pitch for Mali. He was stretching to retain control of the ball and left the ground to slide in on Aurier.
Another yellow card. Is anyone keeping count of these?
45 mins + 2: The pressure is now unrelenting from Mali, as Stephane Singo prepares to come on and slot into the Ivorian defence. Nicolas Pepe is going to be sacrificed and doesn’t look too chuffed about it.
45 mins + 1: Traore hits it left-footed but it’s narrowly wide of the target.
We’re into six minutes of added time, by the way. The whistle cannot come soon enough for Ivory Coast, who need to regroup quickly.
45 mins: Kossounou trudges off down the tunnel as Mali prepare to take a free-kick, which is in good range of goal: 20 yards out, central, scoreable.
RED CARD! (Ivory Coast)
Odilon Kossounou is off! A second yellow caps a miserable half for the Ivorian defender, who can have no arguments.
An email from Joe Pearson:
I find the whole Ivory Coast - Côte d’Ivoire thing very confusing. The internet seems divided on which to use. It’s almost as bad as Cape Verde, which actually calls itself Cabo Verde. Got any Guardian style guide insight for me?
We go with Ivory Coast.
41 mins: The defending from Mali is determined and dogged but Ivory Coast do actually work a rare shooting opportunity as it’s laid back to Seko Fofana, whose shot is poorly executed.
He was leaning back and he skied it way over the crossbar. A glimmer of hope, though, for the host nation.
39 mins: It looks like yet another Ivory Coast foul and another yellow card, but it’s actually gone the way of Adama Traore who was perceived to have taken a dive by the referee.
37 mins: And now Aurier is booked. That’s a cynical tug on Sinayoko who was racing away from the new Galatasaray player down the flank. He’ll miss the semi-final if Ivory Coast (somehow) get through.
36 mins: A bit better from the Elephants, with Aurier and Kessie heavily involved down the right channel, but there’s very little at the end of the sequence.
Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra has been a bystander so far.
34 mins: Ivory Coast are relying on set pieces, largely, but they’re giving away more fouls themselves as Kouame goes into the book for a hand-off.
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31 mins: Time for the cooling break and a chance for everyone to catch their breath.
It’s 0-0, but Mali have been in charge.
30 mins: A rare attack for Ivory Coast is wasted, after Aurier’s free-kick from deep causes some chaos among the Malian defenders, then the shooting opportunity just won’t drop for anyone at the back post.
28 mins: Franck Kessie dives in and clears it, but cannot avoid conceding a corner, which Mali send it towards Doumbia. A nice effort to try and spin and volley, but it’s into bodies again for Les Aigles.
27 mins: The buildup from Mali is patient, with Doumbia trying to wriggle free of his markers up front; Ivory Coast – when they get it – are being far more direct.
25 mins: Evan N’Dicka’s clearance is very much in the ‘if in doubt, get it out’ category and Ivory Coast’s inability to play out of defence is inviting pressure. Apart from the penalty, though, Mali haven’t created much.
23 mins: Both sides are having trouble playing through the middle, with the Ivorians particularly keen to get the ball wide when they can, with Pepe and Max Gradel the outlets.
20 mins: This has been a really daft opening 20 minutes.
One penalty that never was, one penalty saved and a raucous atmosphere created by the Ivory Coast fans, despite their side having very little of the game so far.
MALI PENALTY SAVED!
Fofana produces a superb stop and an almighty roar goes up.
It was a slightly scuffed spot-kick by Traore, but Fofana still had to guess right and make the save. And he did well to get to his feet and collect the bits and pieces.
Updated
This time Mali do have a penalty! And it’s the same culprit, Kossounou, albeit this time for a mistimed challenge on Sinayoko. This one is pretty obvious. Kossounou is booked for the tackle, which would have been more at home in a Six Nations match.
Decision upheld by VAR.
Updated
15 mins: It’s nice that some actual football has resumed in the past minute or two after that interminable delay waiting for a silly handball penalty. (Which thankfully wasn’t given and won’t decide the tie).
13 mins: It looked for all money like the penalty was going to be given. It was one of those modern close-contact handballs which shouldn’t really merit a spot-kick. In the end, the referee raises his arm for offside in the buildup – no pen! Chelle is bemused to say the least.
What an odd series of events. On we go.
12 mins: This is taking an age but the referee is finally going over to the monitor.
10 mins: VAR takes its time to mull this one over … it definitely hit Odilon Kossounou on the arm as a shot was taken following a corner breaking down. Meanwhile, Niakate is down injured and might need a stretcher, as the decision-makers continue to ponder.
8 mins: Mali demand a penalty from the resulting corner and, with play now finally stopped, maybe VAR will take a look. Handball? Surely not. Mali manager Éric Chelle was convinced of it.
7 mins: Kessie is penalised for a trip and Mali have a good chance to send a ball into the box here …
Fofana is tested by another fiercely-hit cross from the left and he can only parry it out for a corner. Not the greatest piece of handling.
5 mins: There’s little time for either side to rest in possession, but Mali are showing the greater composure now with Haidara seeing plenty of it.
3 mins: A Mali break down the left brings about a skirmish in the Ivory Coast box, with goalkeeper Yahia Fofana bravely gathering a cutback and potentially injuring himself in the process.
2 mins: Some early impetus from Ivory Coast, with Nicolas Pepe heavily involved on the right flank in the opening stages. The tackles are flying in already!
KICK OFF
Here we go!
Time for the anthems! No shortage of passion, especially from the hosts’ supporters.
The dressing rooms of the first Quarter-final of the day is ready. 🔥#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #MLICIV pic.twitter.com/AIA53poaDv
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2024
Just 15 minutes until kick-off now and it’s safe to say the atmosphere is building in Bouaké. A nation holds its breath.
Updated
My thoughts and prayers are with Scott Murray trying to keep up with all the goals on today’s clockwatch. Isn’t football just brilliant?
Just a reminder that Nigeria and DR Congo are the two sides to have secured their semi-final spots so far. The winner of this tie and either Cape Verde or South Africa will join them in what ought to be a fun-filled final four.
Nigeria are the clear favourites, but this Afcon – and the current shock-a-minute Asian Cup – has proven that pretty much anything can happen in knockout tournament football.
Want my own personal take? Well, I think the winner of this game could well win the entire thing. There you go.
Nigeria have participated in 19 AFCON tournaments and have reached the semi-finals 16 times.
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) February 2, 2024
UNREAL 🤯🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/yQ7jRMqiza
Some excellent pre-match reading on Ivory Coast’s madcap Afcon campaign right here. Soak it all in.
There’s good news and bad news in the Mali midfield. RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara is fit enough to start, despite pre-match injury fears after he took a bash in the last-16 victory over Burkina Faso. Tottenham star Yves Bissouma is still not considered fit enough to start though.
Sébastien Haller is only fit enough for the Ivory Coast bench and so too is Ibrahim Sangaré.
It’s that battle between Haidara and Franck Kessie that really intrigues today. They’re both integral to their sides, making things tick in the middle of the pitch.
Team news
Mali: D. Diarra, H.Traoré, Haidara, Kouyaté, Niakate, Samasseskou, Couliabaly, Sacko, A.Traoré, Sinayoko, Doumbia
Subs: Diawara, M.Doumbia, Sissoko, Bissouma, M. Diarra, Fofana, Niakate, Diabate, Koita, Dieng, B.Traore, Dorgeles
Ivory Coast: Y.Fofana, Aurier, Ndicka, Seri, Konan, S.Fofana, Kessie, Gradel, Kossounou, Kouamé, Pepe
Subs: Singo, Bamba, Konate, Boly, Boga, Diakite, Sangaré, Haller, Sangare, Adringra, Diallo, Amani
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the third Afcon quarter-final. And it’s an absolutely doozy; hosts Ivory Coast – fresh from their penalty shootout win over defending champions Senegal – face the impressive Mali. The Eagles edged past Burkina Faso in the last-16 to earn this tie, for which many make them favourites, with RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara surely crucial to their hopes this evening.
Ivory Coast have been far from perfect at their home tournament, they’re not the vintage side they were a decade or so ago, but they have momentum from that Senegal victory and the support of a nation – with close to 40,000 to pack out the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké. They call it the Peace Stadium, but it should be anything but quiet this evening.
Kick-off is 5pm GMT, so stick with us. Really looking forward to this one.
