Gradel snatches late draw for Ivory Coast against Mali

Reuters
Ivory Coast national soccer team players players pose for a photograph before the start of their Group D soccer match against Guinea of the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Malabo January 20, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

MALABO (Reuters) - Max Gradel struck with three minutes left as Ivory Coast snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against neighbours Mali who led for 80 minutes in a bad-tempered African Nations Cup match on Saturday. Gradel slotted home from 12 metres after Serge Aurier's pass was deflected into his path by a defender as the Elephants finally broke Mali's stubborn resistance after dominating the game. Bakary Sako scored with a brilliant volley after seven minutes for Mali to leave the Ivorians chasing the game. It was the second straight 1-1 draw for both sides in Group D, leaving them with two points apiece. Cameroon and Guinea, with one point each, were meeting later on Saturday.