Senegal marched through to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals as they saw off 10-man Mali 1-0 thanks to Iliman Ndiaye's first-half strike.
Ndiaye finished into a gaping goal in the 27th minute, with the Everton forward tucking home after a move that he instigated resulted in the ball falling to him kindly in the area.
His goal came from one of 19 shots that AFCON favourites Senegal fired off in a dominant display, although Pape Bouna Thiaw's team could not add to their lead.
Substitute Pathe Ciss squandered Senegal's best chance to double their advantage, side-footing a tame finish straight at Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra in the 76th minute after breaking through in a one-on-one.
Lamine Camara then tested Diarra with an exquisite volley, which the goalkeeper tipped onto the post.
Mali's cause was not helped by the loss of their captain, Yves Bissouma, on the stroke of half-time, with the Tottenham midfielder receiving his second booking following a reckless foul.
Senegal will take on either Egypt or holders Ivory Coast for a place in the final.
Semi-Finalists | Senegal
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
The Lions of Teranga are into the final four of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! pic.twitter.com/IGKTwLUTJs
Data Debrief: Rock-solid Senegal make it six semis
Senegal have one of the most talented forward lines in African football, and though he did not get a goal on Friday, Sadio Mane was as instrumental as ever.
He created a game-leading four chances and played 22 passes into the final third, with Idrissa Gueye (21) the only team-mate to come close in that regard.
But it was Ndiaye who got the decisive goal, breaking his duck for this edition of the AFCON.
Senegal have now reached six AFCON semi-finals, having previously done so in 1990, 2002, 2006, 2019 and 2021. They have conceded just six goals in their last 13 knockout matches in the competition.
