Diaz fires again as Morocco sends Cameroon packing
Brahim Diaz scored for the fifth match in a row at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as host Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in a quarter-final clash to keep alive hopes of a first continental title in 50 years.
Ismael Saibari was also on target in another workmanlike display in which Morocco was efficient enough, but also created little in the way of chances, netting from two of its three shots on target.
Cameroon had a strong shout for a penalty in the second half after what looked to have been a foul on Bryan Mbeumo, but it too battled in the final third and did not force home goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a save across the 90 minutes.
Morocco, which has yet to concede a goal in open play at these finals, faces the winner of Sunday's (AEDT) quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the next round, a tie that will be played in Rabat next Thursday (AEDT).
The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute via the prolific Diaz as the Real Madrid player showed his scoring instinct.
Achraf Hakimi's corner was headed towards goal by Ayoub El Kaabi and Diaz deflected the ball in from close range.
He has now scored in each of Morocco's five games and extends his own record for most goals by a Moroccan at a single Africa Cup of Nations finals, but left the field late on with a heavily strapped thigh that will be a concern for coach Walid Regragui.
Chances were hard to come by for both sides, but Abde Ezzalzouli headed narrowly over the crossbar from another Hakimi corner, while the latter laid on a headed chance for Saibari that was spurned.
Cameroon was unfortunate not to get a penalty kick when Mbeumo was caught in the box as Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida waved play on, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou headed wide at the back post with the Indomitable Lions' best chance of the game.
Morocco made it 2-0 minutes later to kill off the contest when Saibari was left unmarked at the back post and had time to control the ball and fire low into the far corner of the net.
The Atlas Lions will face either Algeria or Nigeria in the semi-finals, and the Morocco coach has high aspirations for the rest of the tournament.
"I want to thank the players and the fans," he said. "It truly felt like we were playing with 12 players on the pitch.
"Qualifying for the semi-finals is well deserved, and the players earned it. Our players gave everything, and when they stay focused, things go well. I am very happy with what they showed.
"We must remain humble because every team wants to beat us, and we must respect all our opponents. Since 2004, Morocco had not reached the semi-finals, and now we are aiming to write history."
For Cameroon, it was a disappointing finish to this AFCON campaign, but head coach David Pagou remained optimistic for the future of the team as he believes there are positives to build on.
"I am proud of my players. We competed well against Morocco, and we leave the tournament with our heads held high," he said.
"We faced some difficulties, but we came back well in the second half. The second goal we conceded decided the match.
"Overall, I am satisfied with the performance. We have a young and new squad, and the players deserve credit for their efforts for the Cameroonian people.
"There is a bright future for our young players, many of whom are playing in continental competition for the first time. We have learned many lessons and leave the tournament with a lot of positives."
