WAFCON 2026: Mssoudy earns Woman of the Match after late winner sends Morocco into quarter-finals

Sanaa Mssoudy was named the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match after scoring the late winner as hosts Morocco beat Algeria 1-0 to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

The Morocco forward struck in the 84th minute to settle a tense North African derby in Rabat, maintaining the Atlas Lionesses’ perfect start to Group A with a second successive victory.

Mssoudy’s decisive goal came after Algeria failed to clear a corner, allowing Hanane Aït El Haj to thread a pass into the area. The 26-year-old controlled the ball before finishing beyond goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi to end the visitors’ resistance.

The goal also ended N’Gazi’s run of more than 500 minutes without conceding, after the Algeria goalkeeper had frustrated Morocco for much of the contest.

Morocco dominated possession but found few clear openings against a disciplined Algerian defence until Mssoudy’s breakthrough six minutes from time.

The result moves the hosts onto six points from two matches, following their 4-0 victory over Kenya in the opening round, and guarantees their place in the last eight with a game to spare.

Algeria, who defeated Senegal in their first match, remain in contention for a quarter-final place ahead of their final Group A fixture against Kenya.

Mssoudy, who plays her club football for AS FAR, has been a key figure for Morocco in recent years and once again delivered on the big stage as the tournament hosts continued their unbeaten start.

Morocco conclude their group campaign against Senegal, while Algeria face Kenya in a decisive final-round encounter.