Algeria came from behind to draw 1-1 with Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, sending the tie to a penalty shootout after Lina Boussaha’s 83rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Kautar Azraf’s first-half opener.
Morocco had controlled the opening period and looked set to carry a deserved lead into the interval. The Lionesses of the Atlas dominated possession, holding almost 60% of the ball, and registered 14 attempts on goal compared with none from Algeria.
Their pressure was rewarded in the 37th minute when 18-year-old forward Kautar Azraf broke the deadlock. She finished after being picked out by Hanane Ait El Haj, with the 31-year-old having already made her mark on the game by receiving a yellow card several minutes earlier.
The goal left Algeria facing a difficult second half. They had been unable to test the Moroccan goalkeeper with a shot on target and were struggling to cope with Morocco’s intensity. Tactical changes were therefore made immediately as the Algerian side looked for a way back into the contest.
Morocco’s defence remained composed for much of the opening half, but the next 45 minutes proved far more demanding for the bronze medallists.
The second half began at a frantic pace. Morocco appeared to have doubled their advantage in the 48th minute when Maryam Atiq found the net, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after a foul had been committed in the build-up.
That reprieve gave Algeria renewed belief. The Fennecs increased their attacking pressure and gradually pushed Morocco back, with their efforts finally producing an equaliser seven minutes from the end of normal time.
Boussaha struck in the 83rd minute to level the match and give Algeria the chance to complete a full turnaround after their difficult first half. Morocco, who had been so dominant before the break, now had to defend their position in a match that had become increasingly tense.
With the two sides heading towards a draw, Morocco were handed a final opportunity to settle the contest during stoppage time. However, Nouhaila Benzina was unable to convert from the penalty spot in the seventh minute of added time, 90+7.
Her missed penalty meant neither team could secure victory in normal time, and the tie proceeded to a shootout. Algeria’s late recovery had transformed a match Morocco had controlled for long periods, while the Lionesses of the Atlas were left to reflect on a missed chance to decide the outcome before penalties.
