Tunisia book semi-final date with Senegal

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jul 11, 2019. 23:00

Tunisia thrashed Madagascar 3-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match at the Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Thursday night.

As a result, the Carthage Eagles reached the semi-finals where they will take on Senegal on Sunday, while Barea bowed out of the tournament.

The Carthage Lions were the better side in the opening exchanges, but they found it difficult to penetrate the Barea defence.

However, Tunisia upped the tempo after the half-hour mark and Melvin Adrien became a busy man in the Madagascar goal-posts.

The goalkeeper was forced to make a brilliant save from Wahbi Khazri's well-taken free-kick which was heading for the top corner in the 32nd minute.

Ghailene Chaalali then tried his luck from range, but Adrien was well-positioned to make a good low save just before the half-time break.

The score was 0-0 at the interval thanks to some good goalkeeping by France-based keeper Adrien.

The Carthage Eagles pressed Barea after the restart and they managed to break the deadlock through Ferjani Sassi seven minutes into the second-half.

The Zamalek midfielder scored with a deflected shot from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 to Tunisia much to the delight of the Carthage Eagles fans inside the stadium.

The 2004 AFCON champions continued to attack after taking the lead and they doubled it on the hour-mark with the Madagascar defence exposed.

Khazri's low shot was parried into the parth of Youssef Msakni, who fired home from close range to make it 2-0 to Tunisia.

Madagascar launched late attacks in search of at least two goals, but they were left vulnerable at the back in the closing stages of the game.

Khazri led the Carthage Eagles' quick counter-attack, before setting up Naim Sliti, who fired past Adrien to seal Tunisia's 3-0 victory Madagascar on the night.

Madagascar (0) 0
Tunisia (0) 3 (Sassi 52', Msakni 60', Sliti 90'+3)

Madagascar: Adrien, Pascal (Morel 66'), Metanire, Fontaine, Mombris, Ilaimaharitra (Njiva 77'), Andrianantenaina, Amada, Andrea, Andriatsima, Nomenjanahary (Voavy 66').
Tunisia: Hassen, Kechrida, Bronn, Meriah Haddadi, Skhiri, Chaalali (Drager 75'), Sassi (Aouadhi 82'), Khazri, Khenissi, Msakni (Sliti 66').