Mali 0–1 Senegal — One Goal, One Red Card, One Big Win

The Mali–Senegal clash was a tense, tightly fought affair that ultimately went Senegal’s way.

Senegal edged past Mali with a narrow 1–0 victory, thanks to a first-half goal from Iliman Ndiaye. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute, when Ndiaye found the net and gave the reigning champions a lead they would not surrender.

From that point on, the match became more about game management than flair. Mali tried to respond, but their task became significantly harder just before the break when they were reduced to ten men. A red card for captain Yves Bissouma shifted the balance firmly in Senegal’s favour and forced Mali to dig deep defensively.

Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal did not have it all their own way in the second half. Mali showed resilience and spirit, pushing forward whenever they could and looking for an equaliser. Senegal, however, stayed organised, absorbed the pressure, and relied on their experience to see the game out.

In the end, Ndiaye’s early strike proved enough. Senegal advanced, Mali were left to reflect on missed chances and a costly dismissal, and the match will be remembered as a disciplined, professional performance rather than a high-scoring spectacle.