In a tense and hard-fought encounter at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the host nation Morocco saw a historic winning streak snapped as they were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by a resilient Mali side in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The result, forged by a penalty at the end of each half, leaves the Atlas Lions top of the group but postpones their qualification for the knockout stages and ends a remarkable run of 19 consecutive victories. For Mali, the draw represents a significant moral victory, showcasing their tenacity and tactical discipline against one of the tournament’s foremost favorites on their own soil.
The stage was set for a captivating North African evening, with the Moroccan faithful filling the Rabat stadium, hoping to witness another step toward continental glory. The hosts entered the match riding an extraordinary wave of confidence, having begun their campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros and carrying the momentum of a 19-game winning streak.
Their historical dominance over Mali, including a 4-0 thrashing in their only previous AFCON meeting back in the 2004 semi-finals, added to the sense of expectation. Mali, meanwhile, arrived with a point from their opening 1-1 draw with Zambia, a match where they conceded a heartbreaking stoppage-time equalizer, and were determined to prove they could compete with the continent’s elite.
From the opening whistle, the match unfolded as a clash of contrasting philosophies. Morocco, under the guidance of Walid Regragui, sought to control possession and tempo, utilizing the technical prowess of their star-studded lineup.
Their first clear opportunity arose in the 17th minute when the lively Brahim DÃaz, following a slick attacking move, found space in the penalty area only to see his low shot parried away by Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. As the half progressed, the Atlas Lions began to build sustained pressure, with Ayoub El Kaabi spurning a golden chance in the 43rd minute, failing to hit the target from a promising cross.
Mali, however, stood firm. Organized defensively and dangerous on the counter-attack, they relied on the blistering pace and physicality of forwards like Lassine Sinayoko to keep the Moroccan defense honest.
The game appeared destined to reach halftime deadlocked, but deep into injury time, the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) provided the first major twist. Moroccan attacker Brahim DÃaz went down in a challenge with defender Nathan Gassama, and after a lengthy review, the referee pointed to the spot, ruling a handball offense.
DÃaz, displaying remarkable composure amidst the escalating tension, stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, sending the Rabat crowd into raptures and giving Morocco a 1-0 lead at the break.
The second half saw Mali emerge with renewed purpose, refusing to be subdued by the deficit or the hostile atmosphere. They continued to threaten on the break, and their perseverance was rewarded in the 64th minute with another pivotal VAR decision.
This time, it was Mali’s talisman, Lassine Sinayoko, who was brought down in the area by Moroccan defender Jawad El Yamiq. After another review confirmed the penalty, Sinayoko himself assumed the responsibility. Facing Morocco’s experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, the French-based striker held his nerve, slotting a low shot into the net to level the score at 1-1 and send the traveling Malian supporters into delirium.
The final half-hour became a frantic search for a winner, primarily from the hosts. Morocco’s coach Regragui turned to his bench, introducing offensive weapons like Youssef En Nesyri in an attempt to reclaim the lead.
The substitute nearly made an immediate impact in the 78th minute, executing a sharp turn and shot that forced an excellent leg save from the ever-alert Djigui Diarra. As the clock ticked into ten minutes of added time, the intensity reached a fever pitch.
In the 98th minute, Moroccan substitute Eliesse Ben Seghir unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, but once again Diarra was equal to it, making a crucial save to preserve the draw. When the final whistle blew, the 1-1 scoreline reflected a match of fine margins, where both teams had moments of ascendancy but were ultimately separated only by the width of a goalpost and the rulings of technology.
The statistical narrative of the match underscores its balanced and fiercely contested nature. Morocco, as expected, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and attempted more passes, a hallmark of their playing style.
However, Mali’s defensive resoluteness and threat in transition were telling. Players like Mamadou Sangaré, who completed all six of his dribble attempts in the tournament opener, exemplified the individual battles Mali needed to win to stifle Morocco’s flow.
The result extends Mali’s impressive unbeaten run in the AFCON group stages to 11 matches, a testament to their consistency and difficult-to-beat nature in the continental showcase.
For Morocco, the draw is a moment of recalibration. While it ends a spectacular winning streak, the point keeps them at the summit of Group A with four points, still firmly in control of their destiny. The match revealed that despite their formidable form and home advantage, the path to AFCON glory is fraught with challenges, as every opponent, especially seasoned campaigners like Mali, will raise their game.
The pressure and expectation on the hosts are immense, not just for this tournament but as a nation preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, investing significantly in security and infrastructure to present a flawless image of African football.
For Mali, this result is a massive confidence booster. To come into the den of the host nation and secure a point, especially after conceding so late in the first half, speaks volumes about their character and tactical organization under pressure. It keeps them very much alive in the competition, level on two points with Zambia, and sets up a decisive final group match against Comoros.
All attention now turns to the final round of Group A matches on Monday, December 29th. Morocco will face Zambia in Rabat, needing at least a draw to guarantee progression but undoubtedly seeking a victory to reclaim their momentum as they eye the knockout rounds.
Simultaneously, Mali will take on Comoros in Casablanca, knowing that a win would likely see them through to the last 16.