Mali 0-1 Senegal Player Ratings: Ndiaye's Only Strike Sends Senegal to AFCON Semi-Finals

Senegal secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Mali in a hard-fought Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final marked by intensity and controversy.

The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Iliman Ndiaye found the net with a close-range finish. His goal proved enough to send the defending champions into the next round.

The match took a dramatic turn shortly before half-time. Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving his side to contest the entire second half with ten men.

Despite the setback, Mali delivered a spirited performance. They pressed aggressively and showed resilience, refusing to surrender control of the contest. The Senegal national football team, however, struggled to impose themselves despite their numerical advantage. Their play lacked cohesion, and clear chances to extend the lead were limited.

In the end, Ndiaye’s early strike separated the two teams. The encounter highlighted the unforgiving nature of knockout football and the determination shown by both sides on the night.

Key Takeaways:

• Iliman Ndiaye scored the winning goal for Senegal in the 27th minute.
• Mali were reduced to ten men after Yves Bissouma received a second yellow card before half-time.
• Senegal failed to extend their lead despite playing the entire second half with a numerical advantage.

Senegal Player Ratings vs Mali

Here are Senegal national football team player ratings from the AFCON quarter-final:

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy - 7.0: A relatively quiet evening for the Senegal keeper. He only had to make two saves but was composed when called upon. His distribution was clean and he commanded his box with authority. We noticed he was quick off his line to sweep up any danger, a sign of his concentration despite having little to do.

Defenders

Kalidou Koulibaly - 7.5: The captain was an absolute colossus at the back. He won nearly everything in the air, making five crucial aerial clearances. From our perspective, he read the game brilliantly, snuffing out attacks before they began. The late yellow card was the only blemish on an otherwise commanding and dominant performance.

Moussa Niakhaté - 7.0: A very tidy and efficient performance alongside his captain. His passing was almost perfect, with a 97% accuracy rate. He never looked flustered, even when Mali pushed late on. He kept it simple and was incredibly effective in his defensive duties, making seven clearances.

Krépin Diatta - 8.5: Our Man of the Match. What a performance this was. He was a constant outlet on the right, whipping in a staggering nine crosses. He created three chances and was a defensive rock, winning most of his duels and even making a last-man tackle. He looked a class above everyone else on the pitch.

El Hadji Malick Diouf - 7.0: A bundle of energy down the left flank. He was always willing to get forward and support the attack, even getting a shot on target. Defensively, he was solid, contributing six clearances. His final ball could have been better at times, but his work rate was undeniable.

Midfielders

Idrissa Gueye - 7.5: The experienced head in midfield, and it showed. He was the engine room for Senegal, breaking up play with tackles and interceptions. His passing was crisp and controlled the tempo of the game for long spells. A classic, understated but vital performance from the veteran.

Pape Gueye - 6.0: An all-action display that unfortunately bordered on reckless. He flew into challenges, earning a yellow card and committing several fouls. He had four shots but none troubled the keeper. It was a performance full of endeavor but lacking in composure and quality before he was subbed.

Habib Diarra - 6.0: Looked bright and tried to make things happen, but his influence faded. He picked up a silly yellow card for a clumsy tackle. We expected a bit more from him in terms of creativity. It was an okay performance but ultimately one that lacked a telling contribution.

Forwards

Sadio Mané - 7.5: The star man was a constant menace. He created four chances, more than anyone else on his team, and had two shots on target. Yet, from our perspective, there was a sense of frustration about his game. He seemed desperate to score and perhaps snatched at his chances. A good performance, but not the clinical Mané we know.

Iliman Ndiaye - 8.0: The match-winner. He showed great striker's instincts to be in the right place to tap home the crucial goal. He was a livewire in the first half but his influence waned after the break. Still, his job was to score, and he did it perfectly. A huge contribution.

Habib Diallo - 6.0: It was a tough night for the big striker. He worked hard and held the ball up at times but was largely ineffective in front of goal. He was booked for a needless foul. We felt he was well-marshalled by the Mali defence for most of the game.

Substitutes

Pathé Ciss - 6.5: Came on and added some stability to the midfield. Had a shot on target saved. Lamine Camara - 6.5: Looked lively and set up a good chance for Mané. Ibrahim Mbaye - 5.0: Got booked almost immediately after coming on. Cherif Ndiaye - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.

Manager

P. Thiaw - 7.0: His team got the job done, and that's the most important thing in knockout football. However, he'll be concerned by their failure to put the game to bed against ten men. His substitutions were logical, aiming to see out the game. A win is a win, but the performance left room for improvement.

Mali Player Ratings vs Senegal

Check out Mali national football team player ratings from Mali vs Senegal AFCON game:

Goalkeeper

Djigui Diarra - 7.0: This is such a tough one to rate. For large parts of the game, he was heroic, making seven saves to keep his ten-man team in the contest. Some of his stops were genuinely world-class. However, his one glaring error led directly to Senegal's goal. A performance of both brilliance and calamity.

Defenders

Hamari Traoré - 7.0: A true captain's display. He fought for everything, making crucial tackles and interceptions. He led by example as his team went down to ten men. The late yellow card was a result of frustration, but he can hold his head high after a battling performance.

Abdoulaye Diaby - 6.5: A mixed bag. He made some vital blocks and clearances under immense pressure. At other times, he looked a little uncertain. It was a difficult night against a potent Senegal attack, and he stood up to be counted for the most part.

Ousmane Camara - 7.0: A very solid and composed showing at the back. He won all of his duels and made three important interceptions. What stood out to us was his calmness on the ball. He never seemed panicked, a great quality for a defender in such a tense game.

Nathan Gassama - 8.0: Mali's best player on the night, without a doubt. He was an absolute rock. He seemed to be everywhere, making a staggering five interceptions and four clearances. From our perspective, he put his body on the line time and time again. An immense defensive performance.

Midfielders

Amadou Haidara - 5.5: A really quiet and ineffective outing for a player of his quality. He struggled to get into the rhythm of the game and was eventually forced off with an injury. A disappointing night for him personally, as he never made his mark.

Yves Bissouma - 3.0: A moment of absolute madness from the captain. To get one yellow card was careless; to get a second for another rash challenge just before halftime was unforgivable. He completely let his team and his country down with his lack of discipline. His red card changed the entire game.

Lassana Coulibaly - 5.0: He was overrun in the midfield battle. He lost possession far too often and struggled to cope with the physicality of Senegal's midfield. He worked hard but it was a game that largely passed him by before he was substituted.

Mamadou Sangaré - 6.5: One of Mali's brighter sparks in attack. He tried to drive forward with the ball and created a chance for his teammates. His energy was commendable, especially after his team went down to ten men. A decent showing in difficult circumstances.

Aliou Dieng - 6.0: A neat and tidy performance without ever really threatening to unlock the Senegal defence. His 100% pass accuracy is impressive, but he played it very safe. We wanted to see him take more risks to try and get his team back in the game.

Forwards

Lassine Sinayoko - 6.0: A thankless task for the lone striker. He was isolated for most of the match, feeding on scraps. He worked his socks off, chasing down defenders and holding the ball up when he could. He can't be faulted for his effort.

Substitutes

Dorgeles Nene - 6.5: Came on and added a bit of spark and unpredictability. Gaoussou Diakite - 6.0: Added fresh legs to the midfield. Kamory Doumbia - N/A. El Bilal Touré - N/A. Mahamadou Doumbia - N/A.

Man of the Match in Mali vs Senegal

Krépin Diatta of Senegal national football team was the player of the match with 8.5/10 ratings.

Worst Performer

Yves Bissouma of the Mali national football team saw a red card and had 3/10 ratings.