WAFCON 2026: Late Mssoudy Strike Fires Morocco Past Algeria in Tense Derby
Hosts Morocco strengthened their grip on Group A with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over regional rivals Algeria at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Reynald Pedros’ Atlas Lionesses controlled the rhythm of the game from the opening whistle but were repeatedly thwarted by a well-organized opponent.
Despite launching an aggressive flurry of offensive waves throughout the match, the home side struggled to find a clinical breakthrough against the stubborn Algerian block.
Algeria’s defensive unit put on a tactical masterclass, frustrating the partisan home crowd for the vast majority of the tense encounter.
The Fennecs prioritised numbers behind the ball, cutting out crosses and packing their penalty box to limit Morocco’s clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi remained unbreached under heavy pressure, ensuring her side looked poised to secure a crucial, hard-earned clean sheet.
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute when forward Sanaa Mssoudy finally shattered the visitors’ resilience.
Latching onto a delicate, defense-splitting pass from team captain Hanan Aït El Haj, the star forward snuck behind the defensive line.
Mssoudy finished with absolute composure to score the only goal of the match, delighting the local fans and sealing maximum points.
This narrow, high-stakes triumph propels Morocco to six points, making them the sole leaders at the top of the Group A table.
With two consecutive wins under their belt, the host nation has officially punched their ticket into the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, a heartbroken Algeria squad will look to quickly put the late defeat behind them and focus on their upcoming must-win fixture.
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