Mali came from behind to draw with Morocco in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, which leaves the host nation on the brink of a place in the knockout stage.

It proved to be a tale of two penalties at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervening on both occasions to send referee Abdou Abdel Mefire to his screen.

Brahim Diaz put Morocco ahead from the spot deep in first-half stoppage time after the ball struck the hand of Mali left-back Nathan Gassama.

But the Eagles got a spot-kick of their own just after the hour mark when Jawad El Yamiq scythed down Lassine Sinayoko, and the striker held his nerve amid the whistles to squeeze his effort under Yassine Bounou.

Eagles keeper Djigui Diarra made a fine save with his legs to deny Youssef En-Nesyri and also had to be alert to stop Woyo Coulibaly scoring an own goal in the 10th minute of added time, with the West Africans ultimately settling for a point which will keep them in contention for a last-16 place.

Morocco topped the group on four points, with Mali and Zambia on two points and Comoros at the bottom on one point after their 0-0 draw with the southern Africans earlier on Friday.

Group A concludes on Monday (19:00 GMT), with the hosts taking on Zambia in the capital and Mali returning to Casablanca to face Comoros.