Ivory Coast are through to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations after defeating Mali in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Diakite's goal in the 120+3 minute saved Ivory Coast from going for another penalty shootout.
The Mali side were the better team, but the better teams don't always win. They started extremely well and could have scored a goal in the first half against the Ivory Coast, but Adama Traore's penalty was saved.
Ivory Coast player Kossounou got a red card in the first half of the match, leaving the Ivorians playing with 10 men.
Mali scored in the 68th minute of the second half, but they were struck by a 90th-minute goal by Ivorian attacker Simon Adingra.
The Brighton attacker was also instrumental to Ivory Coast's second goal after Diakite pounced on his free kick, which the Malian players failed to clear properly.
How Ivory Coast Defeated One of the Favorites of the African Cup of Nations, Mali, to Proceed to the Semi-Finals of the Tournament
Adama Traore failed to convert from the penalty spot, with Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana flying to the left side of the post to stop the Malian from going ahead.
Kossounou was given a second yellow card and a red card after he brought down Sinayoko while the Malian were on counterattack.
Ivory Coast striker Haller had a chance to put the ball into the net, but Mali made a quick clearance to stop the ball.
The former Ajax striker was the target man in the box due to his strength and incredible pace on the ball.
After several attempts on goal, Mali finally got the breakthrough in the 68th minute of the match as Mali's Nene scored an excellent goal from outside the box.
In the 82nd minute of the match, the host almost got an equalizer, with the Ivorian player Diakite heading wide.
The Ivorian put the ball in the back of the net just before the extra minute of the second half with a good attempt from Adingra.
The hosts seem to have gotten their do-or-die mentality back.
Haller almost had a goal with a beautiful header in the 96th minute, but his attempt hit the crossbar.
Ivory Coast striker Oumar Diakite sent the host country to the semi-final of the tournament with a well-placed goal in the 120+3 minute.
Adingra hit the free kick into the Mali box; it felt into Diakite path. The striker wasted no time in putting the ball into the net.
After Diakite's wild celebration for scoring the winner, he was given a red card and was immediately sent off, with the players of both teams going face-to-face.
What Next for Mali and Ivory Coast?
The host country, Ivory Coast, will play against DR Congo in the semi-finals of the tournament on February 7, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. It is expected to be an interesting match to watch.
Mali, on the other hand, will face the Black Stars of Ghana in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 3, 2024.
Diakite's goal in the 120+3 minute saved Ivory Coast from going for another penalty shootout.
The Mali side were the better team, but the better teams don't always win. They started extremely well and could have scored a goal in the first half against the Ivory Coast, but Adama Traore's penalty was saved.
Ivory Coast player Kossounou got a red card in the first half of the match, leaving the Ivorians playing with 10 men.
Mali scored in the 68th minute of the second half, but they were struck by a 90th-minute goal by Ivorian attacker Simon Adingra.
The Brighton attacker was also instrumental to Ivory Coast's second goal after Diakite pounced on his free kick, which the Malian players failed to clear properly.
How Ivory Coast Defeated One of the Favorites of the African Cup of Nations, Mali, to Proceed to the Semi-Finals of the Tournament
Adama Traore failed to convert from the penalty spot, with Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana flying to the left side of the post to stop the Malian from going ahead.
Kossounou was given a second yellow card and a red card after he brought down Sinayoko while the Malian were on counterattack.
Ivory Coast striker Haller had a chance to put the ball into the net, but Mali made a quick clearance to stop the ball.
The former Ajax striker was the target man in the box due to his strength and incredible pace on the ball.
After several attempts on goal, Mali finally got the breakthrough in the 68th minute of the match as Mali's Nene scored an excellent goal from outside the box.
In the 82nd minute of the match, the host almost got an equalizer, with the Ivorian player Diakite heading wide.
The Ivorian put the ball in the back of the net just before the extra minute of the second half with a good attempt from Adingra.
The hosts seem to have gotten their do-or-die mentality back.
Haller almost had a goal with a beautiful header in the 96th minute, but his attempt hit the crossbar.
Ivory Coast striker Oumar Diakite sent the host country to the semi-final of the tournament with a well-placed goal in the 120+3 minute.
Adingra hit the free kick into the Mali box; it felt into Diakite path. The striker wasted no time in putting the ball into the net.
After Diakite's wild celebration for scoring the winner, he was given a red card and was immediately sent off, with the players of both teams going face-to-face.
What Next for Mali and Ivory Coast?
The host country, Ivory Coast, will play against DR Congo in the semi-finals of the tournament on February 7, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. It is expected to be an interesting match to watch.
Mali, on the other hand, will face the Black Stars of Ghana in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 3, 2024.