Morocco reached the semifinals of the Arab Cup in Qatar after defeating Syria 1–0 on Thursday at Khalifa International Stadium, securing its place in the final four before a large crowd.
Syria entered the match missing star forward Omar Khribin, who fractured his wrist earlier in the week. Coach José Lana turned to Mahmoud Al-Mawas to lead the attack, while Morocco also continued to struggle with player absences.
Al-Mawas threatened early, testing Moroccan goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, but without creating a clear chance.
Morocco began to build rhythm in the 10th minute when Ismail Boulaçout delivered a precise cross to Amine Zahzouh, whose header was pushed away by Syrian goalkeeper Elias Hadaya.
The Atlas Lions suffered a setback in the 19th minute when Tarik Tissoudali was forced off with a head injury after colliding with Hadaya. He was replaced by striker Walid Azaro.
Syria appealed for a penalty in the 28th minute after contact between Al-Mawas and defender Marouane Saâdane, but the referee, after checking video review, dismissed the claim.
Morocco continued to press through Boulaçout and Karim El Berkaoui, while Syria responded on the counterattack. Zahzouh nearly broke the deadlock in stoppage time of the first half, but failed to connect cleanly with another cross from Boulaçout. The teams went into halftime tied 0–0.
Second-half pressure pays off
Morocco intensified its pressure after the break. Azaro came close to scoring early in the second half, only for the Syrian defense to clear the ball off the line.
Coach Tarik Sektioui made three substitutions at once around the 65th minute, bringing in Mahmoud Bentayg, Munir Chouiar and Achraf Mahdioui to push for the opener.
Hadaya kept Syria in the game with a strong save on Oussama Tannane in the 69th minute, followed by another close attempt from El Berkaoui.
Morocco’s breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Azaro capitalized on a rebound spilled by Hadaya after a shot from Chouiar, finishing from close range to put his team ahead.
Saber Bougrine nearly doubled the lead minutes later, but Hadaya again made the stop. In response, Lana introduced several attacking players — including Khribin — in the 81st minute in search of an equalizer.
Morocco finished the match with 10 men after Mohamed Moufid was sent off following a VAR review in stoppage time. Despite the late setback, the North African side held on for the win.
Morocco will face the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates in the semifinals.
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