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Ivory Coast Steal Dramatic AFCON Win with Last-Minute Heroics

Ivory Coast mounted a dramatic comeback and snatched a last-gasp winner in extra time to overcome Mali 2-1 in the AFCON quarter-finals.

Despite playing most of the match with 10 men after a red card, the hosts clawed back from a 71st-minute deficit thanks to a 90th-minute equalizer and a 120th-minute winner.

This sets up a semi-final clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mali took the lead through Nene Dorgeles, but Simon Adingra pulled Ivory Coast level at the death.

Oumar Diakite then secured the dramatic victory in extra time, although he was subsequently sent off for celebrating excessively.

The match also saw a red card for Mali’s Hamari Traore at the final whistle.

This win continues Ivory Coast’s unlikely journey in the tournament.

After limping into the knockout stages with a third-place finish and a heavy defeat to Equatorial Guinea, they pulled off a penalty shootout victory over holders Senegal in the last 16.

Their fighting spirit and resilience will be tested again in the semi-finals.