Brahim Diaz wrote his name all over Morocco’s march into the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-finals, delivering the decisive moment in a hard-fought 1–0 win over Tanzania in Rabat on Sunday.
Match Report
For over an hour, the Atlas Lions controlled the ball and dictated territory, yet struggled to pierce a disciplined Tanzanian defence determined to protect their historic maiden knockout campaign.
Possession came easily for Morocco, penetration did not — until Diaz decided the night himself.
Even before his match-winning intervention, Diaz had signalled intent.
Seconds into the second half, he attacked a long delivery with a glancing header that forced Morocco’s first corner of the period, setting the tone for a renewed attacking push.
When Morocco began to increase the tempo, it was Diaz at the heart of it — sharp between the lines, brave in the box, and constantly asking questions Tanzania could not always answer.
Morocco’s first-half dominance had ended in frustration. Ismail Saibari’s close-range finish in the 24th minute was chalked off after a VAR review for offside, a moment that captured the mood inside a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex — expectant, impatient, and yearning for a breakthrough their team deserved but could not manufacture.
The scare that almost flipped the script arrived in the 56th minute when Feisal Toto, unmarked in the box, blazed over what should have been Tanzania’s opener. It was the escape Morocco needed — and the spark Diaz used.
In the 63rd minute, Diaz seized the stage. Receiving wide, he cut inside with balance and conviction before drilling a composed finish from a near-impossible angle, beating the goalkeeper and sending 45,000 fans into delirium.
The celebration was volcanic, the moment unforgettable, and the match effectively settled.
The goal, his fourth of the tournament, lifted Diaz clear atop the AFCON scoring charts and reinforced his status as Morocco’s most consistent attacking force in 2025.
In a game defined by control but lacking incision, Diaz provided the missing ingredient: individual brilliance with tournament-shaping consequences.
Tanzania battled gamely to the end and limited Morocco to scraps thereafter, but Diaz’s strike was a line they could not cross back over.
When the final whistle sounded, the verdict was simple: Morocco progressed because Brahim Diaz delivered again.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Highlight from Morocco vs Tanzania
15' Match Event for Morocco vs Tanzania
19' Highlight from Morocco vs Tanzania
56' Match Event for Morocco vs Tanzania
60' Highlight from Morocco vs Tanzania
64' GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Tanzania (Brahim Díaz)
94' Highlight from Morocco vs Tanzania
Line-ups
Morocco XI: Bounou, Masina, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Hakimi, Brahim, A. El Kaabi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss
Subs: Munir, Mohamed Chibi, Amrabat, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Anass Salah-Eddine, Oussama Targhalline, Youssef Belammari, Ilias Akhomach, El Mehdi Al Harrar, Hamza Igamane, Chemsdine Talbi, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
Tanzania XI: Simon Msuva, Dickson Job, Feisal Salum, Haji Mnoga, Mohamed Hussein, Novatus Miroshi, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Alphonce Msanga, Ibrahim Hamad, Selemani Mwalimu, Hussein Masalanga
Subs: Ally Samatta, Shomari Kapombe, Charles M'Mombwa, Tarryn Allarakhia, Kelvin John, Iddy Seleman Nado, Nickson Kibabage, Denis Kibu, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Zuberi Foba, Pascal Msindo, Yusuph Kagoma, Khalid Habibu, Kelvin Nashon, Wilson Nangu
Fooabkmopz
11
man of the match
AFerBIxM4906
7
Sasa kuna haja gani ya kushiriki mashindano kama haya wakati washindi wanaandaliwa. Hiyu refa ni mat***o. Alafu raisi wa FIFA yupo anaangalia huu ujinga.