- Morocco edge past Tanzania to reach quarter-finals of AFCON 2025 as Brahim Díaz made history.
- Díaz scored the decisive goal to secure Morocco’s victory on Sunday, January 4, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz has etched his name into African football history as Morocco secured a narrow but hard-earned 1–0 victory over Tanzania to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
Playing in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the midfielder delivered the decisive moment in a tense Round of 16 encounter that tested the patience and resolve of the tournament hosts.
Morocco dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, enjoying long spells of possession and pinning Tanzania deep inside their own half.
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Walid Regragui’s side controlled close to three-quarters of the ball and circulated play with confidence, but breaking down a compact and disciplined Tanzanian defence proved far from straightforward.
Morocco edge past Tanzania to reach quarter-finals
An early effort from Ismael Saibari found the net but was ruled out following a VAR review for offside, setting the tone for a frustrating first half.
Ayoub El Kaabi and Díaz both came close before the interval, while Tanzania offered brief moments of danger on the counter, most notably through Simon Msuva.
However, the sides went into the break level, with Morocco still searching for a breakthrough despite their territorial dominance.
That decisive moment finally arrived just after the hour mark. Captain Achraf Hakimi surged forward from right-back and slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Díaz.
With one sharp dribble to beat his marker, the midfielder cut inside and fired a precise right-footed shot into the bottom corner from a tight angle, igniting wild celebrations inside the stadium.
The goal was not only crucial but historic. Díaz has now scored in every match he has played at AFCON 2025, becoming the first Moroccan player to score in four consecutive games at the tournament.
He is also only the second Moroccan to net four goals in a single AFCON edition, following Youssef Mokhtari’s feat in 2004. With 12 goals in his first 19 appearances for the national team, only Salaheddine Bassir has scored more at the same stage.
In an emotional celebration, Díaz held up the shirt of injured teammate Azzedine Ounahi, who was ruled out before kick-off, a gesture that highlighted the strong unity within the Moroccan camp.
Tanzania responded with renewed urgency, forcing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into action and winning a series of set-pieces in advanced areas.
However, Morocco’s defence marshalled by Nayef Aguerd and supported by Noussair Mazraoui and Adam Masina stood firm.
Regragui’s side expertly managed the closing stages, slowing the tempo and seeing out seven minutes of added time amid a flurry of fouls and stoppages.
At the final whistle, Morocco’s persistence was rewarded as they advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of South Africa versus Cameroon.
With momentum building and Brahim Díaz in irresistible form, the Atlas Lions continue their pursuit of a second Africa Cup of Nations title and their first since lifting the trophy in 1976.
