Hosts Ivory Coast scored in the final minutes of regulation and extra time to reach the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals for the first time since 2015 after beating Mali 2-1 on Saturday.
The Ivorians played the majority of the game with 10 men after Odilon Kossounou was sent off two minutes before halftime after a second yellow card.
Mali were enraged, yet their mood quickly brightened when a spot-kick was given at the second time of asking, this time after Kossounou bundled into Lassine Sinayoko in the box. Adama Traoré steeped up to take the penalty kick, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Nene Dorgeles eventually broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, as he produced a glorious curling finish from outside of the area into the top-right corner to stun the Stade de la Paix, following up with muted celebrations.
Ivory Coast finished third in their group, required penalties in the last round and once again facing the prospect of exiting AFCON on home soil, a desperate final push was required to rescue 10-man Ivory Coast.
However, Simon Adringa equalised for Ivory Coast on the stroke of 90 minutes to send the game into extra time.
In the 30 additional minutes both sides brought the same intensity as the prior 90, but as it unfolded both momentum and history favoured the home nation. Sébastien Haller first came close when striking the bar with a header, then just as it seemed penalties would be required, a winner was found in stoppage time at the end of extra time.
In the most dramatic fashion, another Fofana shot crept through a crowded penalty area and was flicked in by Oumar Diakite, as the home support went wild.
Though he was given a second yellow card for taking off his jersey in celebration, Diakite exited the pitch feeling conflicted because he would be suspended for Wednesday’s semifinal clash against DR Congo.
