Last-chance saloon for Mali

Mali players walk out before the men's group D match at Parc des Princes, Paris. Picture date: Wednesday July 24, 2024.

Monday Jul 29, 2024. 16:00

Nothing but three points will do for Mali when they take on Paraguay in their final Group D clash in the 2024 Olympic Games at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, July 30.

The Eagles are teetering on the brink of elimination after picking up just one point from their opening two matches in the men’s football tournament.

Alou Badra Diallo’s side battled back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Israel on July 24 and they had a chance to do the same against Japan three days later.

But Cheickna Doumbia failed to convert his penalty in second-half stoppage time as the West Africans succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Mali trail La Albirroja by two points in third place and will leapfrog them with victory in Paris. Japan top the group on six points and are expected to beat Israel in their encounter in Nantes.