Algeria secured a historic bronze medal at the Total Energies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in Rabat.
The result marked Algeria’s first-ever podium finish in the history of the competition.
Morocco started strongly and came close to taking the lead in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort struck the crossbar.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock nine minutes later. Kautar Azraf showed impressive technique to beat her marker before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner to give Morocco a 1-0 lead.
Azraf nearly doubled the advantage shortly afterwards with a volley, but the effort bounced awkwardly and was cleared to safety.
Morocco thought they had extended their lead in the second half when Maryam Atiq found the net, but the goal was disallowed.
Algeria gradually grew into the contest after the break and began putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Jraidi had an opportunity to increase Morocco’s advantage in the 63rd minute after being played through on goal, but she failed to make clean contact with her effort.
Algeria then went in search of an equaliser. In the 77th minute, a perfectly weighted pass found captain Marine Dafeur in a promising position, but she could not direct her effort towards goal.
Three minutes later, Lina Boussaha fired narrowly over the crossbar with a well-struck volley.
The pressure finally paid off in the 83rd minute when Melissa Bethi produced a brilliant through ball for Boussaha, who kept her composure to slot the ball past the goalkeeper and restore parity.
Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle, sending the bronze-medal clash into a penalty shootout.
Algeria held their nerve from the spot to prevail 3-2, with Ines Belloumou converting the decisive penalty to seal a memorable victory.
The bronze medal represents Algeria’s best-ever finish at the WAFCON, while Morocco finished fourth after surrendering their lead late in a fiercely contested encounter.
