RABAT, Morocco — Under the floodlights of a sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Morocco ended their 22-year “semi-final jinx” by defeating a resilient Cameroon side. The victory keeps the hosts’ dreams of a first continental title in 50 years firmly alive.
Match Highlights: The Diaz Dominance
- The Breakthrough (26′): Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz continued his historic scoring run, tapping home from close range after a corner was flicked on by Ayoub El Kaabi. Diaz has now scored in five consecutive games, extending his record as the first Moroccan to achieve this feat in a single AFCON.
- The Sealer (74′): After surviving a strong spell of pressure from the Indomitable Lions in the second half, Morocco doubled their lead. Ismael Saibari latched onto a loose ball following a corner and lashed a low shot into the bottom corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
- Defensive Masterclass: Morocco remains the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal in open play, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou rarely tested by the Cameroon attack.
What’s Next? The Road to the Final
Morocco’s victory sets up a high-stakes semi-final on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
- Opponent: The winner of Nigeria vs. Algeria (taking place today, Saturday, Jan 10).
- Historical Note: This is Morocco’s first AFCON semi-final appearance since 2004, when they reached the final but lost to Tunisia.
- The Other Side of the Bracket: Senegal has also qualified for the semi-finals after beating Mali 1-0. They will face either Egypt or Ivory Coast.
