Cheickna Doumbia rescues Mali against Israel

Cheickna Doumbia of Mali (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the 1-1 equalising goal during the Men Group D match Mali vs Israel of the Soccer competitions in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris, France, 24 July 2024. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Thursday Jul 25, 2024. 09:49

Mali fought back to hold Israel to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group D match at the Paris 2024 Olympics – Men’s tournament on Wednesday night.

The draw left the two teams with one point each and they will both be in action on Saturday as Mali take on Japan, while Israel lock horns with Paraguay.

The first-half saw both teams create chances which they failed to convert and the score was 0-0 during the half-time break at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

The deadlock was broken 11 minutes into the second-half when defender Hamidou Diallo netted an unfortunate own-goal to hand Israel a 1-0 lead.

However, Mali showed character as they fought back and they levelled matters though 21-year-old Cheickna Doumbia who made it 1-1 three minutes after the hour-mark.

The two teams then searched for a late winning goal, but it never came and ultimately, the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw on the night.

Mali 1 (Doumbia 63′)

Israel 1 (Diallo 56′)

Mali: L. Diarra, Doucouré, Tounkara, H. Diallo, Diomandé; Diakité, B. Diarra (D. Diallo 74′), Traoré, T. Diarra, Jiddou (Saco 74′), C. Doumbia

Israel: Niron, Ben Harush, Feingold, Lemkin, Goldberg; Gandelman, Frada (Shahar 46′), Gloukh (Yona 82′), Abada (Davida 67′), Madmon (Azoulay 46′), Turgeman