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Nene Dorgeles’s memorable strike put Mali ahead after Odilon Kossounou’s first-half red card for the hosts.

But Simon Adingra’s 90th-minute equaliser took the tie to extra-time before Cote d'Ivoire won it in stoppage-time at the end of the 120 minutes through Oumar Diakite, who was then also sent off along with Mali’s Hamari Traore in a chaotic and dramatic finale.

Mali missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead when Adama Traore’s penalty was saved.

Kossounou clumsily fouled pacey striker Lassine Sinayoko in the box before Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana did well to make a fingertip stop with his outstretched left hand.

Traore tested Cote d'Ivoire's defence in behind but his appeals for a free-kick on the edge of the box were waved down by the referee, who showed the Hull City player a yellow card for simulation.

The Elephants fluffed their best chance of the match after 40 minutes. Right-back Serge Aurier made a direct run inside before picking out Seko Fofana on the edge of the box but the midfielder put too much power into the strike as his effort flew over the bar.

A poor first half for Emerse Fae’s hosts was made worse when Kossounou picked up a second yellow and was sent off.

Sinayoko continued to wreak havoc, breaking away from orange shirts before a cynical challenge from Kossounou earned him a second booking and subsequent red card.

Mali increased the pressure on its 10-man opponent after the break as it searched for an opener.

Amadou Haidara was unmarked on the edge of the area and he almost found the breakthrough when his long-range shot dipped towards the bottom corner, forcing Yahia Fofana into action.

But after 71 minutes Mali got the goal it deserved after a stunning strike from substitute Dorgeles.

Dorgeles, who was born in Cote d'Ivoire, picked up the ball in midfield before he took advantage of the free man and drove into space.

The Salzburg midfielder cut onto his right foot, producing a wonderful curling effort which found the top corner as Yahia Fofana just stood and watched.

But in dramatic circumstances, Cote d'Ivoire levelled the tie right on 90 minutes.

Seko Fofana’s effort crashed off a Mali defender and into the path of substitute and Brighton and Hove Albion winger Adingra, who smashed home to level the tie.

Extra-time ensued and a raucous crowd pushed Cote d'Ivoire on, and it almost took the lead when Borussia Dortmund star Seabtien Haller sent a header on to the bar in the first period.

As the tie appeared destined to go to a penalty shootout, Mali conceded a free-kick on the right touchline, which was sent desperately into the box. The loose ball fall to Seko Fofana, who let fly before Diakite managed to produce a crucial flick to send the ball past Djigui Diarra in the Mali goal.

Diakite picked up a second yellow card after he removed his shirt during wild celebrations, which means he will miss the semi-final, before Hamari Traore was shown a straight red after clashing with the referee as tempers boiled over in the closing minutes.

Cote d'Ivoire will play DR Congo in the semi-final on Thursday (AEDT).