Wilfred Zaha scored the winner as Ivory Coast beat Mali 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match at Suez Stadium on Monday.
Zaha snatched the only goal of the game in the 76th minute to book a spot in the quarterfinal against Algeria.
Mali began strongly, in the 11th minute, Moussa Marega sent a ball into the penalty area in search of Samassekou Diadié but the Ivorian defence stood firm to block the cross.
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The Malians threatened again as Abdoulay Diaby reeled off a shot but he was off target.
In the 22nd minute, with a free-kick about 30 metres out from Diaby produced a fierce shot which was well-saved by Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo.
We're at the business end of the tournament - just another 8⃣ matches to go.
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The Malians came even closer to opening the scoring in the 42nd minute with Moussa Marega missing from close range.
Mali continued to dominate the game after the break, but it would be with less than 20 minutes remaining that the defining moment of the contest came - as Zaha converted an optimistic cross with a lethal finish to book his side’s ticket into the quarterfinals later this week.
African News Agency