Hosts Morocco were held to a 1–1 draw by Mali in their second Group A match at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 26 December. The result leaves both sides well-placed in the group as the competition moves toward its final round of fixtures.
It was only the second meeting between these nations at an AFCON finals tournament. The first came in the 2004 semi-finals, when Morocco ran out 4–0 winners in Tunis. Morocco head coach Walid Regragui played in that game, while the defeat remains one of Mali’s heaviest at the competition. This time, however, the West Africans earned a result they will feel was deserved across a competitive 90 minutes.
Morocco began brightly, determined to stamp their authority at home. Early chances fell to Brahim Díaz, who twice tested the Malian defence with right-footed efforts that failed to trouble goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. Mali eventually settled and threatened through Mamadou Sangaré, whose left-footed strike from distance flew over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to control possession and push forward, with Ismael Saibari and Ayoub El Kaabi both heading over as the half progressed. The breakthrough finally arrived on the stroke of half-time. A handball by Abdoulaye Diaby inside the area was confirmed by VAR, earning the defender a yellow card. Díaz stepped up from the spot and calmly converted to give Morocco a 1–0 lead at the interval.
Morocco maintained their intensity after the restart, with Díaz again involved as Mali were forced to defend deep. But the visitors worked their way back into the match and were rewarded just before the hour mark when Lassine Sinayoko was fouled in the box. Following another VAR review, the penalty was awarded, and Sinayoko confidently struck into the bottom corner to end Yassine Bounou’s long run without conceding for the Atlas Lions.
The equaliser set up a tense finale. Substitute Youssef En-Nesyri went close twice for Morocco, first seeing a left-footed effort superbly blocked by Diarra before heading narrowly wide late on. Mali also had nervy moments in defence, including an awkward header from Woyo Coulibaly that almost resulted in an own goal, but both teams ultimately held firm through 10 minutes of stoppage time.
The draw keeps Group A finely poised. Morocco next face Zambia needing a win to secure top spot, while Mali take on Comoros looking to seal their place in the knockout stages.
