AFCON 2025: Morocco into last 4 after seeing off Cameroon

This clash of titans did not experience much observation rounds. It is the Moroccans who make a better start to the match. Some great situations to put their opponents under immediate and constant pressure from the start.

The opportunity of Abde Ezzalzouli in the penalty area of Cameroon, with an attempt ends in the side net. Diaz looked more likely to create something from nothing.  In the 26th minute, on a corner fired by Achraf Hakimi, Ayoub El Kaabi rises higher than everyone else to place his head shot. Brahim Diaz is ideally placed to deflect the ball and beat Epassy. This is already the 5th goal for the Real Madrid player, the 5th in a row since he has scored in all the matches since the beginning of the competition. Morocco takes the lead at halftime, and it’s a well-deserved advantage for the Atlas Lions. 

The indomitable Lions fail to roar
Dominant and better tactically organized in this first half, the locals logically lead the race in this quarter-final clash. The indomitable Lions return with a better attitude in this second period. Good intentions that do not translate into frank opportunities. Morocco is patient and remains on the lookout for the slightest error of adverse inattention. A strategy focused only on the result and which seems less and less to bother Moroccan supporters.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Ismaïl Saïbari kills all Cameroonian hopes by scoring the 2-0 goal, once again on a set piece. The first Moroccan goal scored by a player other than the Diaz - El Kaabi duo. The deal seems to be closed. Morocco is flying towards the semi-finals. David Pagou throws his last forces into the battle to restart the suspense and offer himself a dishevelled end of the match. A very poor indomitable Lions who played for 90 minutes without a shot on target. These stats says it all. End of the road for the five times African Champions.

Cameroon is unrecognizable in this meeting. Morocco is pragmatic in the money time. Achraf Hakimi’s partners were up to the task, not Mbeumo and company. The host country faces next Wednesday in the semi-final, the winner of the quarter-final this Saturday between Nigeria and Algeria.