MALI fought back from behind to draw 1-1 with hosts Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Rabat tonight.
It is the first time Morocco will fail to win a match since early 2024, with their record win streak standing at 19 before tonight’s draw.
Despite dropping points, the draw leaves the Morocco on the verge 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 brought down by Jawad El Yamiq, and the striker held his nerve amid the whistles to squeeze his effort under Yassine Bounou.
Mali goalkeeper 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 stoppage 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 today.
Group A will be concluded on Monday, with the Morocco taking on Zambia in Rabat and Mali returning to Casablanca to face Comoros.