Brahim Diaz scored the decisive goal in the 64th minute as Morocco moved into the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 by edging a stubborn Tanzania side in Rabat, where the hosts controlled long stretches but needed a second half breakthrough to settle a tense last 16 tie.
Morocco, coached by Walid Regragui, set the early tempo through sustained possession and territorial pressure, with Diaz probing inside the penalty area and captain Achraf Hakimi pushing forward from the right while also drawing applause for a key defensive intervention.
Tanzania threatened on a rare break when a hard cross flashed toward the far post without a finish, but the report said the visitors largely struggled to play out under Morocco’s waves of attacks.
The clearest first half moment appeared to arrive in the 15th minute when Ismael Saibari redirected a free kick into the net, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside.
Morocco kept pressing through Saibari’s forward runs and Diaz’s creativity, while Ayoub El Kaabi drew attention as a target in the box and went close with a header before the break, but the scoreline remained unchanged despite repeated attempts against a deep Tanzanian block.
The second half opened with chances at both ends. Bilal El Khannouss sent a curling shot just over the bar, and Ez Abde Ezzalzouli forced a reflex save with a downward header, before Hakimi delivered a cross that El Kaabi headed wide from close range.
Tanzania then nearly stunned the stadium when Salum fired over an open goal after Yassine Bounou parried a long range shot into the middle.
Diaz settled the match moments later by beating his marker inside the area and driving a low finish at the near post.
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