Match ends, Côte d'Ivoire 1, Mali 1.
Ivory CoastIvory Coast1MaliMali1
Max Gradel struck late to earn Ivory Coast a draw with Mali and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Mali had looked to be heading for victory, thanks to a superb half-volley from Bakary Sako after seven minutes.
But the equaliser came on 86 minutes when Gradel slotted in from 12 yards.
Earlier, Ivory Coast were denied a penalty when Wilfried Bony appeared to be upended by Molla Wague, while Kolo Toure headed against the bar.
Those two first-half incidents summed up the match, as the Elephants were frustrated for long spells. And once again they needed to recover from a poor start as they fell behind after only seven minutes.
Mali launched a swift counter-attack and worked the ball out wide to Sambou Yatabare whose far-post cross was met brilliantly on the half-volley by Wolves winger Sako, his left foot sending the ball low into the opposite corner.
It was not until the 25th minute that the Elephants created a clear-cut chance in response. A cross from the left was headed back across goal by new Manchester City striker Bony but Doumbia's attempt at an acrobatic volley was mistimed and poorly directed.
Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard cut a furious figure on the touchline and his rage was further fuelled when Bony looked as though he was impeded by Molla Wague but the referee gave a corner.
They almost scored from set-piece but Liverpool defender Kolo Toure's thumping header was superbly tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.
Despite their best efforts, fortune was not favouring the Ivorians and they were incensed when the referee awarded a free-kick in box, penalising Bertrand Bailly who had flicked the ball up to himself to head the ball back to his keeper.
Mali could not take advantage, with Sako firing the set-piece against the wall.
Opting for a front three of Max Gradel, Bony and Doumbia, Ivory Coast pushed forward in numbers after the break.
Yet the equaliser would not come. Bony headed wide from Gradel's dinked cross and then when Bony turned provider, his team-mates were unable to meet his inviting near-post flick-on.
From an unfortunate injury Mali took an opportunity to relieve pressure on their defence, taking about five minutes to substitute keeper Diakite for Germain Berthe. Inevitably the delay disrupted the rhythm of the game, both teams struggling to regain their composure.
Then with four minutes of normal time remaining, Serge Aurier, a threat throughout, played in Gradel and the substitute clipped a low shot beyond Berthe.
Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure told BBC Sport:
"It's a very good point. I think with quite so many chances, we should have scored more than one goal, because we were the better side in the game.
"For us it's very important that we give everything and we will fight for it. There are young players, for them it's difficult - but as a team I think we are strong and I believe that we can beat Cameroon [on Wednesday]."
Mali forward Bakary Sako told BBC Sport:
"We are very frustrated, because we could win today. It's the second time that we've conceded a goal at the end of the game. But it is not finished, so we're going to try to win the last game.
"We are not favourites, but we drew against Cameroon and against Ivory Coast, so that shows people how good we can be."
Line-ups
Ivory Coast
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 16Gbohouo
- 21Bailly
- 4K Touré
- 22KanonSubstituted forKalouat 83'minutes
- 19Y Touré
- 17Aurier
- 9TiotéBooked at 82mins
- 14DiomandeSubstituted forGradelat 39'minutes
- 5Tiéné
- 12BonySubstituted forGadji-Celi Carmel Juniorat 84'minutes
- 7Doumbia
Substitutes
- 1Barry
- 2Diarrassouba
- 3Assalé
- 6Doukoure
- 8Kalou
- 11Gadji-Celi Carmel Junior
- 13Akpa-Akpro
- 15Gradel
- 18Traoré
- 20Gonzaroua Die
- 23Mandé
Mali
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 16DiakitéSubstituted forBerthéat 72'minutes
- 15Diakité
- 23Wague
- 4Coulibaly
- 3Tamboura
- 8SyllaBooked at 59mins
- 17N'Diaye
- 14YatabaréBooked at 88mins
- 12KeitaBooked at 77mins
- 10SakoSubstituted forDoumbiaat 78'minutes
- 7YatabaréSubstituted forMaigaat 90+1'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Berthé
- 2Diawara
- 5Coulibaly
- 6Doumbia
- 9Traoré
- 11Diarra
- 13Coulibaly
- 18Diaby
- 19Konaté
- 20Maiga
- 21Traoré
- 22Samaké
- Referee:
- Bouchaib El Ahrach
Match Stats
Home TeamIvory CoastAway TeamMali
- Possession
- Home66%
- Away34%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Côte d'Ivoire 1, Mali 1.
Post update
Corner, Côte d'Ivoire. Conceded by Sambou Yatabaré.
Post update
Attempt saved. Sambou Yatabaré (Mali) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Adama Tamboura.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Cheick Tioté (Côte d'Ivoire) because of an injury.
Post update
Foul by Junior Tallo (Côte d'Ivoire).
Post update
Adama Tamboura (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Sylvain Gbohouo (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tongo Doumbia (Mali).
Post update
Corner, Mali. Conceded by Kolo Touré.
Substitution
Substitution, Mali. Modibo Maiga replaces Mustapha Yatabaré.
Booking
Sambou Yatabaré (Mali) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Cheick Tioté (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Sambou Yatabaré (Mali).
Goal!
Goal! Côte d'Ivoire 1, Mali 1. Max Gradel (Côte d'Ivoire) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Serge Aurier.
Post update
Eric Bailly (Côte d'Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Seydou Keita (Mali).
Post update
Foul by Junior Tallo (Côte d'Ivoire).
Post update
Mamoutou N'Diaye (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
