Morocco 3-0 Zambia: El Kaabi & Diaz Send Lions to Last 16

1.The Hosts Take Control in Rabat

The host nation confirmed their status as tournament favorites with a clinical 3-0 victory over Zambia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Atlas Lions wasted no time in front of their home fans, establishing total control of the match within the first few minutes. The Zambian defense struggled to cope with the fluid movements of Brahim Díaz and Abde Ezzalzouli, as Morocco maintained high intensity throughout the opening half.

2.Morocco Takes the Lead Through El Kaabi (9th Minute)

The Moroccan “Atlas Lions” established their dominance early in the 9th minute through a masterfully executed set-piece. Demonstrating the tactical intelligence that has become their trademark, Azzedine Ounahi delivered a pinpoint cross following a clever short-corner routine. Ayoub El Kaabi showed incredible determination, rising highest between three defenders to steer a powerful diving header into the bottom left corner. This opening goal did more than just change the scoreboard; it set a fierce tone for the evening and ignited a wave of celebration across the stadium as the home crowd realized their team was on the path to victory.

3.Morocco Doubles the Lead with Brahim Díaz (27th Minute)

Morocco’s relentless pressure paid off once again in the 27th minute as the Atlas Lions doubled their lead through Brahim Díaz. The Real Madrid star continued his incredible scoring streak in the red and green jersey, finding the net for his third consecutive international game. The goal was a perfect example of Morocco’s tactical fluidity; after a slick team move initiated by Ezzalzouli, Díaz found space in the heart of the box and swept the ball home with a composed left-footed finish. This strike further cemented the host nation’s dominance and sent the home fans in Rabat into a state of euphoria.

4.The Goal of the Tournament (50th Minute)

The second half began with the highlight of the tournament so far. In the 50th minute, Ayoub El Kaabi completed his brace in legendary fashion. Meeting a lofted cross from the flank, he launched into a perfectly executed bicycle kick that left the Zambian goalkeeper helpless. The stadium erupted in celebration as the goal was confirmed following a brief VAR check.

5.Hakimi Returns and Group A Success

The night was made even more special for the home crowd in the 64th minute when star fullback Achraf Hakimi made his long-awaited return from injury. He entered the pitch to a standing ovation, providing a major boost to the squad. With this win, Morocco finishes at the top of Group A with 7 points and will remain in Rabat for their upcoming Round of 16 fixture.

Man of the Match: Ayoub El Kaabi

The undisputed hero of the night was Ayoub El Kaabi. With his clinical early header and a breathtaking overhead kick, he proved to be the ultimate striker. El Kaabi now sits at the top of the AFCON scoring charts, making Morocco a formidable force heading into the knockout rounds.