Mali was eliminated from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup following a 4-2 loss to Italy on Friday at the Tychy City Stadium in Tychy, Poland.
The Malians fell behind to a bizarre Ibrahima Kone own goal after 12 minutes and things got worse nine minutes later when Ousmane Diakite was sent off for a dangerous foul on Italian midfielder Luca Pelligrini.
Mali leveled the match on 38 minutes through Sekou Koita after a brilliant back-heel pass from Ibrahima Kone to send the teams tied at the break.
Andrea Pinamonti gave the Italians the lead on 60 minutes with an excellent finish from a tight angle but Mali equalized again on 79 minutes through Mohamed Camara.
However, the Italians took a decisive lead with two quick goals in the 83rd and 84th minutes. First, Pinamonti converted a penalty after Malian keeper Youssouf Koita fouled him. Davide Frattesi then looped a header over Koita to extend the advantage.
There was late drama as Sekou Koita won a penalty in injury time but missed the resulting spot-kick.
Italy will now face Ukraine on Tuesday, June 11 in Gdynia for a place in the final.
Ukraine progressed to its first U-20 World Cup semi-finals after edging Colombia 1-0 in Lodz.
