Senegal edged Mali 1-0 in a tightly contested Africa Cup of Nations group stage match on January 10, 2026, to secure their place in the knockout rounds. The only goal of the game came in the 58th minute, when Senegal's talismanic forward rose highest to meet a cross and power a header into the net. Mali pressed for an equalizer and thought they had earned a penalty late on, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned. Senegal's defense held firm under considerable pressure in the final minutes to claim all three points. The result confirmed Senegal's progression from the group and left Mali needing a result in their final match to advance. Senegal's coach highlighted the importance of resilience, and Mali's manager expressed pride in his team's performance but frustration at the key decision that went against them.