Brahim Diaz continues to light up the Africa Cup of Nations with a run of form that has placed him firmly at the heart of Morocco’s historic campaign. The Real Madrid winger once again found the back of the net as the Atlas Lions secured a composed 2–0 victory over Cameroon in the quarter-final played in Rabat on Tuesday night, booking their place in the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since 2004.
Diaz’s goal was far more than just another strike. It marked his fifth consecutive goal in the competition, a feat no Moroccan player had previously achieved in AFCON history. His consistency and composure in front of goal have transformed Morocco into one of the most efficient attacking sides of the tournament, while also igniting hopes of a long-awaited continental triumph.
The breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute when Diaz capitalised on a swift attacking move, finishing clinically to send the home crowd into raptures. Cameroon, five-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, attempted to respond but struggled to create meaningful chances. Morocco’s defensive discipline and tactical organisation ensured that their opponents were kept at arm’s length throughout the contest.
The second goal arrived in the 74th minute, courtesy of midfielder Ismaël Saibari, who doubled Morocco’s advantage with a well-taken effort. Remarkably, Morocco managed to score twice from just three shots on target, underlining their ruthless efficiency in the final third.
Cameroon did appeal for a penalty shortly after half-time when Bryan Mbeumo went down in the Moroccan penalty area, but the referee waved away the claims. The decision proved pivotal, as Cameroon were unable to mount any sustained pressure thereafter. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou enjoyed a largely serene evening and was not required to make a single save during the 90 minutes.
Despite the jubilant scenes at full time, there was a note of concern for head coach Walid Regragui. Diaz was forced off late in the match after picking up a knock, raising questions about his availability for the semi-final.
One of the most striking statistics of Morocco’s campaign is their defensive solidity. No team has yet managed to score against them from open play, a testament to their well-drilled back line and disciplined midfield.
Key Match Statistics
| Category | Morocco | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 0 |
| Clean Sheets (Tournament) | 5 | — |
| Goals by Diaz | 5 | — |
Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Senegal continued their impressive recent record by edging past Mali 1–0 in Tangier. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Iliman Ndiaye pounced on a goalkeeping error to score. Mali’s task became even more difficult when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
Later on Wednesday night in Agadir, defending champions Ivory Coast face Egypt in another quarter-final clash. The winner of that encounter will meet Senegal in the semi-finals in Tangier next Wednesday. Meanwhile, Morocco will face the winner of the Nigeria versus Algeria quarter-final, as the Africa Cup of Nations moves towards a thrilling conclusion.
With history beckoning and form firmly on their side, Morocco now stand just two matches away from continental glory.