Morocco Snatch Last-Gasp Win Over Algeria at WAFCON 2026
Hosts Morocco secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over rivals Algeria in a fiercely contested North African derby at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), moving to the brink of the quarter-finals with a perfect record of two wins from two matches in Group A.
The decisive moment came in the 84th minute at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium when Sanaa Mssoudy broke the deadlock, sending the home crowd into wild celebration after more than 80 minutes of deadlock in an intensely fought contest. The Atlas Lionesses had dominated possession for large periods but repeatedly found themselves frustrated by a well-organised Algerian defensive setup that limited clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Both sides had entered the highly anticipated clash on the back of impressive opening victories, raising the stakes considerably for the Group A showdown. Morocco arrived having thrashed Kenya 4-0 in their tournament opener, while Algeria had claimed a surprise 2-0 win over Senegal. The significance of the encounter was evident from the first whistle, with both teams adopting a cautious, tactical approach that produced a tense, physical battle in midfield.
The first half ended goalless, with neither side managing to carve out clear openings despite several promising attacking moves. The game’s intensity was reflected in the number of cautions handed out, with Algeria’s Ikram Adjabi and Ines Belloumou both booked, alongside Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj, before the interval.
Morocco came out with greater urgency after the break, with head coach Jorge Vilda urging his side to increase the tempo against a stubborn Algerian rearguard. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession throughout the second half, the hosts continued to struggle to break down Algeria’s compact and disciplined defensive structure in central areas. It was not until Mssoudy’s decisive intervention in the closing stages that the deadlock was finally broken, sparking scenes of jubilation among the home supporters.
The result leaves Morocco firmly in control of Group A with a maximum six points from two matches, officially making them the first team to secure qualification for the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals. For Algeria, the defeat is a bitter pill after a performance that showed enough quality and resilience to have earned at least a point in a difficult away environment. The loss leaves them on three points, level with Senegal, who also picked up a 1-0 win of their own on the same matchday, defeating Kenya thanks to a first-half strike from Seynabou Mbengue.
With Morocco already through to the knockout stage, attention now turns to the final round of Group A fixtures, where Algeria will face already-eliminated Kenya, while Senegal must navigate a tougher test against the already-qualified hosts to try to secure the second spot from the group. Notably, all remaining Group A matches are set to kick off simultaneously to preserve the integrity of the standings.
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