MUSCAT, DEC 19
Morocco fought back after conceding lead and stunned Jordan with an extra-time winner as the African football powerhouse lifted the Fifa Arab Cup Qatar 2025 in Doha on Thursday night.
Abderrazak Hamdallah kept the Atlas Lions in the match with a late equaliser that sent the match into extra time after Jordan was leading 2-1 into the final minutes.
Hamdallah netted a dramatic winner in the 100th minute as well as Morocco saw off the challenge of Jordan 3-2 in the thrilling final before the packed house of both teams’ supporters at the Lusail Stadium.
Morocco, who host the African Cup of Nations from this Sunday, impressed the Arab Cup competition with the best defensive record, having conceded only once during their run to the final.
Jordan, who qualified for their first ever appearance at the Fifa World Cup next year, had found the net 10 times in five outings before the decider.
Tarik Sektioui’s side took the lead with a wonder goal in the fourth minute. Oussama Tannane spotted Yazeed Abulaila off his line and launched a floating effort from within his own half that sailed and dipped past the retreating Jordanian custodian.
Jordan's efforts for an equaliser didn't materialise in the first half as Morocco led 1-0 at the break.
OLWAN LIFTS JORDAN
The second half saw the competition’s top scorer Ali Olwan turning the tides for Jordan as he registered a brace.
The equaliser came just three minutes into the second half as a quickly- taken corner kick was sent in by Mohannad Abu Taha and Olwan's strong header from inside the penalty box rested inside the Moroccan net.
Midway through the second period, Mahmoud al Mardi drove a shot into the Moroccan box that clattered off the hand of Achraf El Mahdioui that saw the referee summoned to check for a possible penalty.
The VAR review was in favour of Jamal Sellami’s men. Olwan, scorer of four penalties already at Qatar 2025, hit a strong shot to the middle landed in the top roof of the goal as El Mehdi Benabid went to his left and Jordan went 2-1 up.
HAMDALLAH TURNS SAVIOUR
Morocco though launched a furious response, with wave after wave of attacking forays and were rewarded in the 88th minute of regulation time when a corner fell to Hamdallah who tucked home near the goal line after his initial effort came back off the post.
A drama filled final few minutes firstly saw Morocco have a penalty shout waved away before Olwan wasted a one-on-one chance on the end of a long counter.
Hamdallah continued where he left off in the extra-time and sealed an incredible final with a close-range volley in the 100th minute to give Morocco perfect preparations for the Fifa World Cup 2026.
The trophy caps off yet another outstanding showing for Morocco in Qatar, after they famously became the first African nation to make the final four of the Fifa World Cup back in 2022.
The third place was shared between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the play-off was abandoned due to heavy rain.
In the semifinals, Morocco rolled over UAE 3-0 while Jordan edged Saudi Arabia 1-0.
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