The adventure of the Atals Lions at CAN 2021 comes to an end. Morocco lost to Egypt after extra time with a score of 2 goals to 1, in the quarter-finals of the competition. However, Vahid Halilodzic’s men opened the scoring with a penalty obtained by Achraf Hakimi and well converted by Sofian Boufal in the 6th minute of play. The Egyptians then took control of the match and multiplied their attacks on the opposing goal, but without success against a very solid Yassine Bounou on his line.
The Moroccan goalkeeper will eventually give in at the start of the second half on the equalizing goal of Mohamed Salah (53rd minute). The rest of the second half will be balanced, with a few clear chances on both sides. Unable to take the advantage before the end of the 90 minutes of play, the two selections will have to play extra time. And it is once again Salah who creates the difference after a festival in the Moroccan defense, concluded with an assist for Mohamed Trezeguet (2-1) in the 100th minute. The latter crucifies Moroccans lacking inspiration in attack, and sends his own to the semi-finals to face the host country, Cameroon.
It is therefore yet another disappointment for Morocco, which once again fails to go very far in the competition. The national coach and his group will have to do better next March against the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the play-off match of the 2022 World Cup.
