CAN 2025: Morocco advances to the semifinals after defeating Cameroon
Brahim Díaz scored again, his fifth goal in five games, paving the way for victory, which was sealed by Ismail Saibari in the second half, sparking euphoria throughout Morocco, from Tangier to the Moroccan Sahara
The 65,000 spectators at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat witnessed a hard-fought and exciting match in which Morocco broke a 20-year curse and managed to defeat Cameroon, the team that had become their nemesis.
All expectations for an Africa Cup quarterfinal match were met in the first 45 minutes, with the crowd cheering relentlessly for the Atlas Lions, who managed to overcome the enormous pressure of playing in the championship as hosts and favorites to win the title.
This time, it didn't take long for Brahim Diaz to put Morocco ahead in the 26th minute with his fifth goal in five games, proving vital to the Moroccan team's aspirations.
The team coached by Walid Regragui knew how to take control of the game, control possession of the ball, and quickly set themselves on the path to victory to avoid the nerves and anxiety of previous games in the competition.
Opposite them, Cameroon once again proved to be a consistent and well-organized team until the 26th minute of the first half when, from a perfectly taken corner kick, Ayoub El Kaaabi touched the ball to the near post for the tournament's top scorer, Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz, to beat the Cameroonian goalkeeper from close range.
Before the break, Morocco had a chance to extend their lead, but Ezzalzouli's shot grazed the post of a Cameroon team that showed no offensive ability.
The situation changed in the second 45 minutes due to Cameroon's push and need to equalize the score. They pressed the Moroccans aggressively in duels, leaving behind their usual caution and creating problems for the host team, whose defense was a stronghold. In the 74th minute, Ismail Saibari scored the winning goal, and Morocco was able to withstand Cameroon's pressure in the final minutes with a well-positioned defense.
Morocco reaches the semifinals of the CAN, where it could face Algeria if it manages to beat Nigeria, for the first time since 2004, and overcome a Cameroonian team that had become its nemesis.