Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast (aet): Africa Cup of Nations hosts pull off another stunning comeback

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast pulled off another stunning comeback to beat Mali in the quarter-finals.

Much as they did against AFCON holders Senegal in the last 16, Les Elephants left it late in both regulation and extra-time during a dramatic encounter.

Odilon Kossounou was sent off in the first-half for two bookable offences, the first coming after conceding a penalty which Adama Traoré duly missed.

The defender was given his marching orders just before the break, although Mali failed to make their numerical advantage count until Ivorian-born midfielder Nene Dorgeles curled in what looked to be the winner just after the 70th minute mark.

As has often been the case throughout this AFCON, however, there were more twists and turns.

Brighton’s Simon Adingra struck in the last minute of normal time with an opportunistic finish after a goalmouth scramble before Oumar Niakite diverted Seko Fofana's shot in for the winner just as penalties loomed.

Niakite was then sent off for removing his shirt in celebration having already picked up a yellow card as tempers flared, with several Mali players surrounding referee Mohamed Adel. Hamari Traore was sent off after the full-time whistle for taking his protests too far.

The hosts now head into their semi-final meeting with DR Congo next week with momentum on their side.