Morocco march into AFCON semi-finals as Brahim Diaz strikes again

Morocco booked their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with an assured 2-0 victory over Cameroon, delivering another commanding performance in front of their home crowd.
Playing on home soil, the tournament hosts set the tone early with an intense, well-organised high press that immediately disrupted Cameroon’s build-up play. The Indomitable Lions struggled to keep possession and never truly settled into the game, as Morocco dictated the tempo from the opening minutes.
Cameroon’s problems deepened midway through the first half when defender Nouhou Tolo was forced off with a knee injury in the 24th minute. His replacement, Dina Ebimbe, failed to provide stability and was substituted himself early in the second half — a clear reflection of Morocco’s dominance.
The breakthrough came from a familiar source. From a well-worked corner on 26 minutes, Brahim Diaz arrived at the far post to turn the ball home. It was a landmark moment for the Real Madrid midfielder, who now has five goals in five matches at the tournament — a remarkable return that has made him one of the standout players of AFCON 2025.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Morocco remained calm, composed and tactically disciplined, limiting Cameroon to half-chances while maintaining control across the pitch. The pressure eventually told again in the 74th minute when Ismael Saibari doubled the lead, finishing confidently after a dangerous free-kick delivery.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Cameroon - Morocco 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Diaz Br., 26 (0:1); Saibari, 74 (0:2)
Cameroon: Epassy; Tchamadeu (Dina Ebimbe, 24; Nkoudou, 58); Che Malone; Tolo; Kotto; Nagida; Baleba (Onana J., 77); Avon; Mbeumo; Namaso (Magri, 77); Kofane (Eyong, 77)
Substitution: Dina Ebimbe (from 24 till 58); Nkoudou (from 58); Onana J. (from 77); Eyong (from 77); Magri (from 77)
Bench: Omossola; Ngapandouetnbu; Wooh C.; Nyamsi; Yongwa; Boyomo; Maël Kamdem; Bassogog; Kemen; Soko
Yellow Cards: Avon 9; Tolo 39
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi; Aguerd; Masina; Mazraoui; Diaz Br. (Igamane, 90); Saibari (Targhalline, 86); Ezzalzouli (Rahimi S., 86); El Aynaoui; El Khannouss (Amrabat S., 68); El Kaabi (En Nesyri, 67)
Substitution: En Nesyri (from 67); Amrabat S. (from 68); Targhalline (from 86); Rahimi S. (from 86); Igamane (from 90)
Bench: Munir; Al Harrar; Chibi; El Yamiq; Salah-Eddine; Ait Boudlal; Belammari Youssef; Akhomach; Ben Seghir; Talbi
Yellow Cards: El Khannouss 50; Rahimi S. 88
