Algeria Beat Morocco to Win First-ever WAFCON Bronze
Algeria clinched a historic bronze medal at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout victory over host nation Morocco following a 1-1 draw
Algeria secured a momentous bronze medal at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a tense 3-2 penalty shootout triumph over Morocco, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This victory marks the Fennecs' first-ever podium finish in the history of the continental tournament, providing a bittersweet end to their campaign after a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Malawi.
Morocco held dominance in the early stages of the North African matchup, coming close to scoring in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi's shot struck the crossbar. Algeria's Melissa Bethi equalized the match nine minutes later, capitalizing on a brilliantly delivered through-ball from Kautar Azraf. Morocco pushed forward relentlessly in the second half, but missed numerous scoring opportunities.
Algeria's resilience shone through when Lina Boussaha sealed the equalizer in the 83rd minute, following a luscious through-ball from Melissa Bethi. The match came down to a nail-biting penalty shootout, where Algerian keeper Chloé N'Gazi's two saves proved decisive. Though Algeria had two penalties go astray, Ines Belloumou's composed strike and Jraidi's rebounded miss ensured Algeria's historic bronze.
Despite the disappointment, neither North African powerhouse has lost their spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a testament to their consistent quality on the international stage.
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