Brahim Diaz Sends Morocco Marching On as Hosts Edge Past Tanzania
So, here’s what happened in Rabat, and it turned out to be one of those tense Afcon nights where patience really mattered. Host nation Morocco booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a narrow but important 1–0 win over a stubborn Tanzania side, and once again, Brahim Diaz was right at the heart of it all.
The game was played at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, and for a long time, it felt like Morocco were being made to work harder than expected. Tanzania came in with a clear plan: stay compact, defend deep, and frustrate the crowd. That approach worked for most of the first half. Despite dominating possession, Morocco struggled to find clear openings, and the teams went into the break locked at 0–0.
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After half-time, the pressure was turned up. Wave after wave of Moroccan attacks was launched, and it felt like a breakthrough was only a matter of time. Chances were created, shots were blocked, and Tanzania’s goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga was kept busy. A thunderous free-kick from Achraf Hakimi was smashed against the crossbar, while Abde Ezzalzouli and Ayoub El Kaabi both went close, but the deadlock still refused to break.
Tanzania even had a brief moment of hope just before the hour mark. Feisal Salum pounced on a rebound after Yassine Bounou spilled a long-range effort, but the chance was lifted over the bar. That miss proved costly.
In the 64th minute, the decisive moment finally arrived. Returning captain Achraf Hakimi, starting his first match in over two months after injury, surged forward and picked out Brahim Diaz. From a tight angle, Diaz fired low at the near post, and the ball was squeezed past Masalanga. The stadium erupted, and Morocco were in front.
That goal carried extra significance. Diaz became the first Moroccan player to score in four consecutive Afcon matches, underlining just how influential he has been throughout the tournament. Calm control was then shown by the Atlas Lions as the lead was protected, even as Tanzania tried to push forward late on.
When the final whistle was blown, relief mixed with celebration. Morocco were through to the last eight, where a heavyweight clash against either South Africa or Cameroon now awaits. For the hosts, the journey continues, and with Diaz in this kind of form and Hakimi back on the pitch, belief around the country is only growing stronger.
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