Mucha emoción en el Marruecos-Argelia de la Copa Árabe
The reigning African champions defeated Morocco at the Al-Thumamna stadium in a very even match. The Moroccan team always trailed, but they never gave up in their quest to win the match.
In the 62nd minute, Yacine Brahimi (Al-Rayyan of Qatar) gave the "green foxes of the desert" the lead from the penalty spot. A somewhat childish penalty as the Moroccan defender left his leg in a reckless manner. The referee, after viewing the play on the VAR, awarded a penalty.
Amotta Hussein's team equalised in the 65th minute, Mohamad Nahiri (Raja Casablanca) heading home a well-delivered free kick against the passivity of the Algerian defence.
The match ended in a draw. In the first half of extra time, Youcef Belaili (Qatar SC) scored an extraordinary goal from 40 metres out. It was not that the Moroccan goalkeeper Anas Zniti was too far forward, it was that Belaili's strike was perfect and probably the goal of the tournament.
Morocco kept trying and from another free-kick on the edge of the box Benoum connected with a great header that beat Mbolhi Rais.
It was then down to the lottery of penalties.
Algeria's Belaili started the shoot-out with the confidence of having scored a great goal and scored. Rahimi also scored for Morocco.
The second was also scored by Bendebka for Algeria and Benoun for Morocco.
The third was the same, scored by Bedrane (Algeria) and Jabrane (Morocco).
Algeria's fourth was converted by Benayada, but El Berkaoui was denied by the Algerian goalkeeper.
Tougai converted the fifth penalty to give Algeria the lead and Morocco did not need to take their fifth spot-kick.
It was a thrilling duel that was settled by penalties.
On the other hand, Qatar won clearly against Emirates. The Emirati team were unlucky from the start. First with an own goal by Salmin. Then with a penalty for handball when Almoez intercepted a cross and another a few minutes later converted by Boualem that made it three-nil down within half an hour.
Later they would score the fourth in a great play by Aziz and before the end of the first half Emirates gave away another goal scored again by Almoez after a mistake at the exit of the ball.
The second half was a mere formality and Qatar went through to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Tunisia beat Oman by 2 goals to 1. The first goal was scored by Tunisian Jaziri in the 16th minute with a great header. Tunisia had more chances, especially one of Jaziri who incomprehensibly in the goalmouth wanted to pass to his teammate Msakni.
In the second half, Al-Hajri scored from long range. He hit a right-footed shot that surprised Mouez. Oman were back in the game.
But Tunisia took the lead thanks to a header from captain Msakni in the 69th minute.
Egypt beat Jordan with great difficulty in extra time. Jordan took the lead with a great right-footed goal from Yazan. They had two more chances to add to their tally, one saved by goalkeeper Abulaila and the other by the crossbar.
Egypt recovered from the scares and equalised with a great running header from Hamdy.
It went to extra time and here Egypt brought their experience to bear and in the 99th minute Sherif made a great run to the by-line and laid it off for Refaat to score.
In the second half of extra time, in the 119th minute, it was Refaat who made another good move and put the ball to the far post for Marwan to head into the back of the Jordanian goal.
Egypt, who were almost stunned by Jordan, qualify.
Next matches:
15 December at 16.00: Tunisia-Egypt
15 December at 20.00: Qatar-Algeria