Morocco held by Mali

Morocco’s record winning run was halted at 19 games after they were held to a 1-1 draw in a Group A 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday night.

The result, which was secured by VAR-awarded penalties for Brahim Diaz and Lassine Sinayoko, prevented the Atlas Lions from guaranteeing a last 16 berth with a game to spare, though they remain very well placed to advance – topping the group with four points.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are level with Zambia on two points, with Comoros in last place on one point.

Morocco created the first scoring chance of the match on 17 minutes, with a slick move putting Brahim Diaz free down the right of the penalty area, but his low shot was turned away by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

The Atlas Lions began to build real momentum and attacking pressure from around the half-hour mark, though the Eagles always looked a threat on the counter due to their speed and physicality – especially Lassine Sinayoko.

Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi had a great chance in the 43rd minute, as he got on the end of a cross from the left flank, but failed to hit the target.

The match looked set to be goalless at the interval, but in injury time the Atlas Lions claimed the lead via Diaz, who earned and then converted a penalty. The Real Madrid attacker won the spot kick in a challenge with defender Nathan Gassama, who handled the ball and was penalised after a VAR review.

Another VAR-awarded penalty arrived just before the midway point of the second half, but this time it was in favour of Mali – with Sinayoko upended in the 18-yard area by Jawad El Yamiq. The French-based forward took the spot kick himself and struck a low shot under the diving Yassine Bounou to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute.

Morocco rung the changes in an effort to try and reclaim the ascendancy, and substitute striker Youssef En Nesyri almost put them back ahead in the 78th minute with a sharp turn and shot, but Diarra made a fine save with his legs.

The teams will conclude their Group A campaigns on Monday 29 December: Morocco face Zambia in Rabat, at the same time that Mali play Comoros in Casablanca.

Morocco (1) 1 (Diaz 45+5’ pen)

Mali (0) 1 (Sinayoko 64’ pen)

Morocco: Y. Bounou, N. Mazraoui, N. Aguerd, J. El Yamiq, A. Salah-Eddine, N. El Aynaoui, S. Amrabat (E. Ben Seghir 82’), A. Ounahi (B. El Khannouss 71’), B. Diaz (A. Ezzalzouli 71’), A. El Kaabi (Y. En Nesyri 70’), I. Saibari (S. Rahimi 82’)

Mali: D. Diarra, W. Coulibaly, O. Camara, A. Dieng, A. Diaby, N. Gassama, L. Coulibaly, Y. Bissouma (G. Diarra 58’), M. Doumbia (K. Doumbia 90+1’), L. Sinayoko (E. Toure 76’), M. Sangare (D. Nene 90+1’)