"Morocco's record-breaking 19-match winning streak came to an end on Friday following a 1-1 draw against a resilient Mali in an Africa Cup of Nations Group A match. Frustrated fans whistled the hosts off the pitch after they failed to secure a spot in the knockout stage. Despite their status as heavy favorites, Morocco couldn't find a winner in a match dominated by two VAR-awarded penalties."
"While Morocco controlled the first half, they required a Brahim Díaz penalty to break the deadlock before the interval. The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review judged that Nathan Gassama had handled the ball while attempting to regain his balance after being beaten by Díaz. Thousands of whistling Moroccan fans tried to help referee Abdou Abdel Mefire make up his mind while he consulted replays before he eventually decided in the home team's favor."
"Tempers flared in the second half when Lassine Sinayoko was not awarded a penalty after being taken down by Jawad El Yamiq. Mefire checked the replays some minutes later and eventually awarded the spot kick. Sinayoko duly dispatched the penalty to equalize in the 64th. The home team pushed hard for a winner that would have appeased the local fans, but Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra proved the difference, denying Youssef En-Nesyri and also preventing an own goal from Woyo Coulibaly."
Morocco's 19-match winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw against Mali in an Africa Cup of Nations Group A match, and frustrated fans whistled the hosts off the pitch after the result prevented qualification to the knockout stage. Morocco controlled the first half and took the lead via a VAR-awarded Brahim Díaz penalty after Nathan Gassama was judged to have handled the ball. Mali equalized through a penalty by Lassine Sinayoko after a VAR review in the second half. Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made key saves to deny Morocco a winner. Kylian Mbappé attended the match; Achraf Hakimi warmed up but did not play.
Read at ESPN.com
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