Algeria booked a podium finish for the first time in their history of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after beating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time in Rabat.
Algeria bow out of the competition with their heads held high and a bronze medal to their name after a disappointing loss to Malawi in the semi-finals.
This was the second encounter between the two North African sides after Morocco’s narrow win in the group stages of the competition.
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The hosts started brightly and came close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort struck the crossbar.
Morocco found the breakthrough nine minutes later thru Kautar Azraf, who scored the first-half goal which handed the Atlas Lionesses a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Algeria came back from the break better organized, probing the Moroccan defense and creating a string of opportunities.
In the 77th minute, a perfectly weighted ball found captain Marine Dafeur in a promising position, but she couldn’t guide her effort goal-wards.
Three minutes later, a well-struck volley from Lina Boussaha narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
The pressure finally told in the 83rd minute when a brilliant thru ball from Melissa Bethi found Boussaha, who showed composure to tuck the ball past the goalkeeper and level the contest at 1-1.
Neither side could find a decisive goal before the final whistle, meaning the bronze medal match would be settled by a penalty shootout.
Algeria held their nerve to win 3-2 after an intense exchange from the spot, with Ines Belloumou scoring the decisive penalty to secure a memorable victory.
Algeria win bronze and a place on the podium at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, with hosts Morocco fourth after a good run on home soil.
Cameroon and Malawi will meet in Sunday’s final.
