Ivory Coast booked their spot in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Mali in extra-time on Saturday evening.
The host, who eliminated holders Senegal, lined-up with the likes of Franck Kessie, Max Gradel and Nicolas Pepe, while the Eagles had Lassine Sinayoko as their go-to-guy.
Mali got a huge chance past the opening ten minutes with a penalty from a foul on Sinayoko, but Yahia Fofana dived down to deny Adama Traore from the spot.
Les Aigles refused to give up on the back of the missed spot-kick, but remained adventurous and pushed the Elephants all the way back.
It didn't get any better for the home nation, who were reduced to ten players as Odilon Kossounou walked the plank for a second bookable offence after committing a foul outside the area.
An alteration off the Elephants bench followed where Wilfried Sinigo came on for Pepe – in a way to balance the equation from a tactical and territorial point of view.
Mali remained promising every time in possession a little after halftime and drew a solid near post save from Fofana off Amadou Haidara's powerful long-range pull.
The Eagles turned to the bench and summoned in Nene Dorgeles to take the place of Traore inside the midway point of the half.
Nene answered the call with about 20 minutes to play when he cut infield wide of the area and curled in the top corner – leaving Fofana rooted.
Ivory Coast's never-say-die spirit showed in the dying minutes after a forceful entry to the box from substitute Simon Adingra saw the latter fire in the top corner as the Eagles fluffed their lines.
Nothing could separate the two during regulation time and a period of extra-time followed to determine the winner.
The Elephants could've taken the lead minutes into extra-time through a towering header in the box from Sebastien Haller, but he rattled the crossbar.
Mali's hearts were shattered as the Elephants stole the show with the last kick of the game when Oumar Diakite volleyed in from the edge of the box to send them in the last four.
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