Mali came from behind to draw with Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, which leaves the host nation on the brink of a place in the knockout stage.
It proved to be a tale of two penalties at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervening on both occasions to send referee Abdou Abdel Mefire to his screen.
Brahim Diaz put Morocco ahead from the spot deep in first-half stoppage time after the ball struck the hand of Mali left-back Nathan Gassama.
But the Eagles got a spot-kick of their own just after the hour mark when Lassine Sinayoko was scythed down by Jawad El Yamiq, and the striker held his nerve amid the whistles to squeeze his effort under Yassine Bounou.
Eagles keeper Djigui Diarra made a fine save with his legs to deny Youssef En-Nesyri and also had to be alert to stop Woyo Coulibaly scoring an own goal in the 10th minute of added time, with the West Africans ultimately settling for a point which will keep them in contention for a last-16 place.
Morocco top the group on four points, with Mali and Zambia on two points and Comoros bottom on one point after their 0-0 draw with the southern Africans earlier on Friday.
Group A concludes on Monday (19:00 GMT), with the hosts taking on Zambia in the capital and Mali returning to Casablanca to face Comoros.
Cameroonian ref Abdou Abdel Mefire was at the centre of the action, awarding penalties to both teams after VAR checks
Morocco, seeking a first Afcon title in 50 years, had seen off a stubborn Comoros side in their opener on Sunday, while Mali had drawn a day later after conceding an injury-time equaliser against Zambia.
Eagles boss Tom Saintfiet responded with five changes, welcoming back captain Yves Bissouma from injury as El Bilal Toure – who had a penalty saved against the Zambians – Nene Dorgeles and Kamory Doumbia all dropped to the bench.
With Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi still not fit to start, it fell to Diaz to set the tempo for the Atlas Lions once again after his goal against Comoros.
The Real Madrid midfielder came close in the 17th minute when his fierce strike across goal was half-saved by Diarra, with Ismael Saibari unable to convert the ricocheting loose ball within the six yard box with the goal gaping.
The main talking point came on the stroke of half-time when a fine Diaz dribble into the box saw the ball strike the hand of Gassama mere inches from the playing surface, while the defender regained his balance, before rebounding straight to the feet of Diaz.
Mefire was urged to consult his pitchside monitor by Tunisian VAR Haythem Guirat, and it seemed another soft decision after the hosts benefitted from a marginal penalty call against Comoros.
Conversely, there was no doubt whatsoever that El Yamiq had chopped down Sinayoko during a rare Mali attack, although the Cameroonian referee appeared to have his line of sight blocked and it seemed an age before he was sent to his monitor again.
Morocco boss Walid Regragui responded with a triple change, taking off Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi and Ayoub El Kaabi, with experienced Fenerbahce striker En-Nesyri having the best opening in the 78th minute after being played in by Neil El Aynaoui.
Yet the closest either side came to a winner arrived deep in stoppage time when right-back Coulibaly, under no pressure, put too much on his back header and Diarra had to spring full-length to his right to keep the ball from crossing the line.
The result brings an end to Morocco’s world record run of 19 consecutive victories, although the Atlas Lions remain unbeaten in 22 games stretching back to their last 16 exit at the 2023 Afcon.
Story BY BBC
