Ivory Coast pulled off an astonishing extra-time comeback win against Mali despite being a man down as they beat Mali 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Despite advancing to the last four, the Africa Cup of Nations hosts rode their luck for much of the contest as goalkeeper Yahia Fofana saved Melbourne Victory’s Adama Traore’s tame spot-kick after Odilon Kossounou brought down Lassine Sinayoko in the box. The Elephants defender Kossounou was then sent off shortly before half-time for a second yellow after fouling Sinayoko in the first half of a few chances.
Mali had taken a 71st-minute lead through Nene Dorgeles but the home team, roared on by the crowd at the Stade de la Paix, fought back and equalized through Simon Adingra in the 90th minute to force extra time.
Oumar Diakite got a touch to Seko Fofana’s strike to win the game for the Ivorians, who played with 10 men for most of the match after Odilon Kossounou was sent off shortly before halftime.
The Ivorians had limped into the knockout stage as one of the four best third-place finishers, despite a 4-0 loss to tiny Equatorial Guinea, but then resurrected their hopes by edging holders Senegal on post-match penalties in the last 16.
Diakité was booked for excessive celebrations and was sent off as it was his second yellow card. He will miss the semifinal against Congo on Wednesday.
The late win prompted wild celebrations among nearly 40,000 fans in the Stadium of the Peace in Bouaké and beyond.
