The Algerian women's national football team concluded their campaign at the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations on a high note, securing a historic victory against Morocco in a nail-biting penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This thrilling match, held on August 15 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, marked the first time in history that Algeria has earned a medal in the Africa Cup of Nations, as they clinched bronze after a tense encounter.
Algeria had already established a commendable performance throughout the tournament by reaching the semifinals, which also granted them qualification for the upcoming 2027 World Cup, a significant milestone for the team. The icing on the cake came during the third-place playoff against Morocco, where the Algerian women's team showcased resilience and determination. The match reached its climax during the penalty shootout when Moroccan player Najat Badri hit the crossbar, much to the delight of coach Farid Benstiti and his team.
Despite being defeated by Morocco in the group stages with a score of 1-0, the Algerian squad faced a fierce start from their opponents, who pressed high and maintained intense pressure. An early miscommunication between goalkeeper Lana Smits and defender Chloé N'Gazi nearly led to a goal from Moroccan striker Ibtissam Jraidi, but Smits narrowly made the save. As the match progressed, Moroccan forward Sakina Ouzraoui Diki made a significant impact on the right flank, delivering a dangerous cross to Kautar Azraf, whose volley struck the crossbar in the 18th minute.
Kautar Azraf Shines in Key Moments
The Barcelona forward eventually broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, capitalizing on an impressive run from Hanane Ait El Haj, who penetrated through the Algerian midfield before assisting the 18-year-old. Azraf cleverly feinted with her right foot before firing a curling shot into the net with her left, putting Algeria ahead 1-0. Just minutes later, she nearly doubled the lead but misfired her shot, and a corner kick that appeared to provide a second goal was ruled out by VAR due to a foul on a Moroccan defender.
Facing an uphill battle, the Algerian team struggled to create significant threats during the first half. However, they returned for the second half with renewed vigor, exemplified by a dangerous cross from captain Marine Dafeur and a powerful shot from PSG-trained Lina Boussaha. Boussaha squandered a golden opportunity with a poor volley but finally found her mark in the 83rd minute, scoring a composed equalizer after timing her run perfectly to avoid being offside.
Drama Unfolds in Penalty Shootout
As the match appeared to be heading for penalties, a controversial late penalty was awarded to Morocco after a slight contact between Diki and Smits. However, Nouhaila Benzina's penalty attempt struck the post, a miss that would prove crucial. The ensuing penalty shootout was fraught with tension, with both teams experiencing numerous misses. After finishing in fourth place in the previous editions of the tournament in 2022 and 2024, the Moroccan team now finds themselves in a disappointing position, while the Algerian women celebrate their first-ever bronze medal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
As reported by rfi.fr.
