Algeria beat Morocco on penalties to win WAFCON Bronze
Algeria secured third place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Rabat. The bronze-medal play-off once again ended in disappointment for Morocco, who suffered their second consecutive penalty shootout defeat of the tournament.
Morocco had been eliminated by Cameroon in the semi-finals after another shootout, but their run to the last four had already secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Algeria, the victory provided a positive conclusion to their WAFCON campaign and added a major achievement to their growing presence in African women’s football.
Morocco take the lead before half-time
The hosts started the contest with the attacking intent expected from a team playing in front of home support. Their pressure eventually produced the opening goal in the 37th minute.
Kautar Azraf found the breakthrough for Morocco, putting the Atlas Lionesses ahead before the interval and giving them an opportunity to finish the tournament with a victory. Morocco were unable to build on that advantage, however, as Algeria gradually found a way back into the match.
Boussaha brings Algeria level
Algeria's persistence was rewarded in the closing stages of normal time. Lina Boussaha equalised in the 83rd minute, cancelling out Azraf's opener and setting up a tense finish.
With the scores level after 90 minutes, the bronze-medal play-off went directly to a penalty shootout, with no extra time required. That decision ultimately produced another painful ending for Morocco.
Algeria hold their nerve in shootout
Morocco's penalty problems returned when it mattered most. The Atlas Lionesses successfully converted their first two penalties but then missed each of their next three attempts.
Algeria also struggled from the spot, failing to score with two of their four initial penalties. However, Ines Belloumou converted the decisive effort to give Algeria a 3-2 shootout victory and secure the bronze medal.
The result means Algeria finish third while Morocco end the competition in fourth place.
Another penalty shootout disappointment for Morocco
The defeat compounds what has been a difficult knockout phase for the hosts. Morocco's semi-final against Cameroon also went to penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. Cameroon prevailed after Morocco failed to convert three consecutive kicks.
Against Algeria, the hosts again found themselves unable to deliver from the spot. The back-to-back shootout defeats will be particularly frustrating given Morocco's strong recent record at the WAFCON.
Morocco's third consecutive WAFCON final-four finish
Although Morocco failed to win a medal, their qualification for the semi-finals continued an impressive run at the continental tournament. This was the third consecutive WAFCON edition hosted by Morocco.
The Atlas Lionesses finished runners-up in both 2022 and 2024, meaning they have now reached the latter stages on each occasion without lifting the trophy. The 2026 campaign therefore represents another missed opportunity to secure Morocco's first WAFCON title, despite home advantage.
World Cup Qualification offers some consolation
Morocco's fourth-place finish does not change their qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. By reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, the hosts secured one of Africa's places at the expanded 32-team tournament in Brazil.
Morocco will be joined at the global competition by Algeria, while Cameroon and Malawi will also qualify regardless of the result of Sunday's WAFCON final.
South Africa and Ghana could increase Africa's representation to six teams if they successfully navigate the intercontinental play-offs. For Algeria, the bronze medal provides a tangible reward for a strong tournament and places them among the leading women's football teams on the continent.
Morocco, meanwhile, will have to reflect on another campaign that ended short of the final despite reaching the semi-finals.
The hosts can take some consolation from securing World Cup qualification, but their latest penalty shootout defeat highlights an area they will need to address if they are to turn repeated deep tournament runs into a first WAFCON title.
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