Hosts Morocco moved a step closer to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Additionally, Mssoudy scored a late winner to seal the victory.
It was a 1-0 win over Algeria in Group A on Thursday night.
The Atlas Lionesses claimed their second straight win of the tournament after overcoming a disciplined Algerian side that frustrated them for most of the match. Morocco now sit on six points after following up their emphatic 4-0 victory over Kenya, while Algeria suffered their first defeat after beating Senegal in their opening fixture.
Both teams entered the match full of confidence, making the clash one of the standout fixtures of the group stage. Morocco enjoyed the backing of a passionate home crowd, but Algeria arrived determined to disrupt the hosts and maintain their winning start.
The opening half was tense and tactical, with both sides placing greater emphasis on defensive discipline than attacking flair. Morocco controlled more possession and attempted to dictate play through midfield, but Algeria remained compact and denied the hosts clear scoring opportunities.
The physical nature of the contest quickly became evident as several players entered the referee’s notebook. Algeria’s Adjabi and Belloumou received yellow cards, while Morocco’s Hajar Ait El Haj was also cautioned before the interval. Despite the intensity, neither side managed to break the deadlock before halftime.
Morocco Decisive Moment
Morocco returned after the restart with greater urgency as head coach Jorge Vilda pushed his side forward in search of the breakthrough. Algeria, however, stayed organized and continued to frustrate the hosts with a disciplined defensive display.
Vilda looked to change the momentum by introducing experienced captain Ghizlane Chebbak in the 70th minute after earlier bringing on Imane Jraidi. The substitutions added fresh attacking energy and increased the pressure on the Algerian defense.
Algeria coach Farid Benstiti also turned to his bench, introducing Boutaleb, Khiril, Bekhaled and Alaouache to maintain the team’s structure and energy as Morocco continued to press.
The decisive moment finally arrived in the 84th minute. Sanaa Mssoudy found the breakthrough with a composed finish that sparked celebrations around the stadium and handed Morocco the lead they had worked tirelessly to earn.
After taking the advantage, Morocco managed the closing stages confidently. The hosts controlled possession, made further substitutions to protect their lead and prevented Algeria from creating a late equalizer.
The victory strengthens Morocco’s grip on Group A and puts the Atlas Lionesses in an excellent position to qualify for the knockout stage. While their opening win over Kenya came comfortably, this result showcased their patience and resilience against one of the tournament’s most organized teams.
Algeria, meanwhile, remain in contention despite the defeat. Their opening victory over Senegal keeps their qualification hopes alive, but they now face increased pressure heading into their final group fixture.
For Morocco, however, it was another memorable night on home soil. The Atlas Lionesses claimed derby bragging rights, maintained their perfect start to WAFCON 2026 and moved another significant step closer to the quarter-finals.
