AFCON: Díaz scores again as Morocco muscle past Cameroon

2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco advanced to the semifinals on Friday evening with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat. Brahim Díaz opened the scoring inside thirty minutes before Ismael Saibari put the Atlas Lions out of reach at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital.

Díaz strengthened his hold as the top scorer of the competition with his 26th minute finish from close range on a set piece. Ismael Saibari finished off the victory in the second half for Morocco, who will now await the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between Nigeria and Algeria. The semifinal match is set to take place on Wednesday in Rabat.

The hosts were energetic from the start and suffocated their Cameroonian counterparts with high pressing and dominance of the ball. After some moments of danger in the opening half hour that failed to test goalkeeper Devis Epassy, the Atlas Lions struck.

Achraf Hakimi’s corner kick found the head of Ayoub El Kaabi, who nodded the ball towards the far post where Díaz timed his movement perfectly to finish with his leg. The Real Madrid attacker and tournament top scorer has now scored a goal in each of his team’s five matches.

Cameroon struggled to find their footing until the second half, when the Indomitable Lions showed some of their capabilities. However, the Moroccan attack led by Díaz and Abde Ezzalzouli maintained their intensity to keep Cameroon on the back foot for long stretches.

And set piece superiority finished the job for the hosts. In the 74th minute, Ezzalzouli’s free kick service from the right wing fell beyond the far post to Saibari, who was able to control the ball and fire a fierce low shot past Epassy.

It was a professional and tactical victory for the North Africans, who will head into the semifinals with full confidence. The Atlas Lions still have yet to concede a goal in open play but will face their biggest challenge in the semifinals against Nigeria or rivals Algeria.