Mali handed debutants Mauritania a strong welcoming to the Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-1 drubbing in Suez on Monday evening.
The Malians were eager for a strong opening against the first-timers, who looked to impress the masses.
Mauritania battled tooth and nail to contain the Malians, with a fiercely contested battle in the midfield until Moussa Marega's dipping shot inside the area 32 minutes in forced Brahim Souleymane to a five-metre save.
Mali were in front 38 minutes in when Abdoulay Diaby found the top-corner with a sweetly-taken finish from the left side. Souleymane prevented a second minutes later with a point-blank save from Lassana Coulibaly's near-post attempt.
Inevitably, the tally increased two minutes to halftime when Marega converted from the spot after a foul from Souleymane on Coulibaly.
Mauritania brought on a substitute at the break, as Khalid Bessam entered for Ibrahima Coulibaly whilst chasing matters.
The Eagles's amplified their dominance 55 minutes in with a bottom corner finish from Adama 'Noss' Traore from outside the area. Mali refreshed their stall six minutes later, as Moussa Doumbia and Adama Traore entered the field of play.
Mauritania reduced the tally in the final 18 minutes with a coolly taken penalty from Hacen following a foul inside the area.
Four minutes later, Mali restored their three-goal advantage when Traore nestled the top corner with a left-footed curler as the Malians go to the top of Group E.