Tunisia halted the fairy-tale of debutants Madagascar in Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 quarterfinal win on Thursday.
The victory set up the Carthage Eagles for a July 14 semi-final clash against Senegal at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Ferjani Sassi gave Tunisia the lead early in the second half with Youssef Msakni adding the second at the 60th minute before Naim Sliti scored a third in stoppage time to make sure of a semi-final showdown with Senegal.
Madagascar could have taken the lead inside 15 minutes but Nomenjanahary disappointed when he shot straight into the hands of Melvin Adrien
A few minutes later Ibrahim Amada’s bullet-like shot flew inches wide.
Just on the half-hour mark, Ilyes Skhiri had the chance to put Tunisia ahead but missed the target.
Despite the misses, Madagascar were impressive on their forward forays, with Feneva Ima orchestrating the operations as the Bareas swamped Eagles territory in search of a goal.
Tunisia looked dangerous on a few raids they launched and had Madagascar’s rear guard reeling as they piled on the pressure, but were bugged by one problem: impatience in front of goal.
But however much Madagascar pushed forward, Dylan Bronn, Wadji Kechrida and Yassine Meriah stood firm.
There was not much difference in the second half, but Tunisia’s efforts were finally rewarded when Ssasi sent a shot from the edge of the area before it took a deflection off Fontaine backside to put his side in the driving seat.
Madagascar, who eliminated mighty DR Congo in the last-16 through penalties, pressed for an equaliser.
In the 56th minute, Moez Hassen pulled off the best save of the match when he dived full length to scramble away a goal-bound shot by Ilaimaharitra.
Tunisia’s domination intensified, but their second goal came when Madagascar attack broke down. It was in the 60th minute when Msakni pouched from a rebound into the back of the net.
Five minutes later Chaalali drove an effort on target from the right side of the penalty area, but Adrien was on hand to parry the ball to safety.
Metanire would have scored for Madagascar in the 70th minute when he broke clear but blasted his shot wide.
And in the 81st minute, Anicet Andianantenaina was denied inside the Tunisia box by desperate defending after Ibrahim Amada delivered a low cross from the right.
Naim Sliti put the final nail into the Bareas coffin when he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, beating Melvin Adrien hands down at the stoppage time.
