In front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and with Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé watching from the stands to support his close friend Achraf Hakimi, Morocco's record-breaking winning streak came to a frustrating end as Mali earned a deserved 1-1 draw in their AFCON 2025 Group A clash.
The result extends Morocco's unbeaten run to 22 matches but ends a sequence of 19 consecutive victories that had established Walid Regragui's side as the clear favorites for the continental title. For Mali, the point represents a significant step toward qualification and vindication of their tactical discipline.
First Half: Morocco Dominate but Struggle to Break Through
From the opening whistle, Morocco imposed their authority on proceedings. With Brahim Diaz pulling the strings and Sofyan Amrabat controlling the midfield, the hosts enjoyed prolonged spells of possession but found Mali's defensive block frustratingly compact.
The Atlas Lions had multiple half-chances, with Diaz testing goalkeeper Djigui Diarra and Ismael Saibari heading over from a promising position. However, Mali's disciplined shape, orchestrated by coach Tom Saintfiet, absorbed the pressure effectively.
The breakthrough finally came in first-half stoppage time when Diaz won a penalty following a handball by Nathan Gassama, confirmed after VAR review. The Real Madrid midfielder stepped up and confidently converted, sending Diarra the wrong way to give Morocco a slender 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Second Half: Mali Strike Back
Mali emerged with renewed purpose after the interval, pushing higher up the pitch and forcing Morocco to defend more than they would have liked. The equalizer arrived in the 68th minute when Lassine Sinayoko drew a clumsy challenge from Jawad El Yamiq inside the penalty area.
After a lengthy VAR review, Cameroonian referee Abdoul Abdel Mefire pointed to the spot. Sinayoko, despite being booked apparently for dissent during the review process, kept his composure to fire home the equalizer, silencing the home crowd momentarily.
Regragui threw on attacking reinforcements, with Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli, and Bilal El Khannouss all entering the fray. En-Nesyri came closest to a winner but saw his effort saved by an outstanding Diarra, who proved to be one of the match's standout performers.
Despite 10 minutes of added time, Morocco could not find the breakthrough, and the final whistle was greeted with jeers from the frustrated home supporters.
Post-Match Reactions
Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi did not hide his frustration after the match: "I think we played well in the first half, we had chances to score, we put intensity into our game. After that, we didn't get back into the match, we stopped playing in the second half. We have to remember that a match lasts 90 minutes, not just one half."
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet focused on what he perceived as refereeing inconsistencies, suggesting his team should have been awarded a second penalty: "If the referee had awarded the second penalty, we would have won this match. I saw the incident again on television – the defender clearly touched the ball with his hand."
Despite his complaints, Saintfiet expressed pride in his team's performance: "I remain proud of my players. We came here against one of the strongest teams in Africa, if not the world, and we competed. We played with discipline, efficiency, and heart."
Group A Standings and What's Next
Morocco remain top of Group A with four points from two matches, while Mali climb to two points. In the other Group A fixture, Zambia and Comoros played out a goalless draw, leaving the group finely balanced heading into the final matchday.
Morocco will face Zambia on December 29th needing just a point to confirm their place in the Round of 16, while Mali will take on Comoros knowing a victory would likely be enough to progress.
Match Details
- Morocco 1-1 Mali
- Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
- Goals: Brahim Diaz (45+5' pen) – Lassine Sinayoko (68' pen)
- Attendance: 60,000+
- Referee: Abdoul Abdel Mefire (Cameroon)
Key Stats
- Morocco's 19-game winning streak ends
- Morocco extend their unbeaten run to 22 matches
- Both goals scored from VAR-awarded penalties
- Mali had just one shot on target – and scored from it
- Morocco completed 63% possession