WAFCON 2026: Algeria Defeat Hosts Morocco On Penalties To Claim Bronze
Algeria secured the bronze medal at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties in the third-place playoff.
The encounter, played on Saturday, ended 1-1 after regulation time before Algeria held their nerve in the decisive shootout to finish third, leaving Morocco in fourth place.
Morocco made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort rattled the crossbar.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock nine minutes later, with Kautar Azraf putting Morocco ahead.
Algeria responded with increased pressure as they searched for an equaliser, but Morocco’s defence managed to hold firm for much of the second half.
The North Africans finally got their reward in the 83rd minute when Melissa Bethi delivered an excellent through ball to Boussaha, who kept her composure to slot the ball past the Moroccan goalkeeper and restore parity.
Neither team could find a winning goal before the final whistle, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
Algeria proved more composed from the spot, winning 3-2 to claim the bronze medal and complete their WAFCON campaign with a podium finish.
Morocco, despite reaching the latter stages on home soil, had to settle for fourth place.
The encounter, played on Saturday, ended 1-1 after regulation time before Algeria held their nerve in the decisive shootout to finish third, leaving Morocco in fourth place.
Morocco made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort rattled the crossbar.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock nine minutes later, with Kautar Azraf putting Morocco ahead.
Algeria responded with increased pressure as they searched for an equaliser, but Morocco’s defence managed to hold firm for much of the second half.
The North Africans finally got their reward in the 83rd minute when Melissa Bethi delivered an excellent through ball to Boussaha, who kept her composure to slot the ball past the Moroccan goalkeeper and restore parity.
Neither team could find a winning goal before the final whistle, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
Algeria proved more composed from the spot, winning 3-2 to claim the bronze medal and complete their WAFCON campaign with a podium finish.
Morocco, despite reaching the latter stages on home soil, had to settle for fourth place.
