Ivory Coast booked a spot in the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Mali on Monday.
Jonathan Kodjia and Nicolas Pepe returned for the Ivorians following their 4-1 win over Namibia, while Wilfried Zaha kept his spot in the starting line-up.
After a tentative opening, the Elephants barged on the attack seven minutes in with Zaha's shot banging off the defence.
Mali missed a good chance to go in front three minutes later after Moussa Marega failed to fire on goal from a through ball, passing on the responsibility instead.
In the closing minutes, Mali maintained a strong-hold on the game with the Ivorians keeping a very high-line in defence and attack.
The second half hit off to a slow pace, as the Ivorians looked to regain a footing in to matters with the Malians holding firm. As the nature of the match, Mali opted for the first substitution 53 minutes in as Adama Traore came on for Abdoulaye Diaby.
The tempo of the match went up and down afterwards, with the compactness from both sides tested to the max. Ivory Coast then turned to the bench in the 68th minute, bringing on Olympique Lyon's Maxwel Cornet for Pepe.
Just as extra time loomed, the 2015 champions seized authority 76 minutes in after Zaha side-footed past Djigui Diarra from a bouncing delivery to the Elephants ahead.
The Malians threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, with the Ivorians adopting a possession-based approach to preserve control.
However, the Ivory Coast ran out victor in the end to confirm a last eight date with Algeria on Thursday evening.