Algeria claim WAFCON 2026 bronze after 1-1 draw with Morocco

Algeria won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal after beating Morocco 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the third-place play-off on 15 August 2026. The result secured third place for Algeria, while Morocco finished fourth.

Morocco took the lead in the 37th minute when Kautar Azraf converted Hanane Aït El Haj’s pass. The hosts appeared to have added a second goal after the interval, but Maryam Atiq’s effort was disallowed.

Algeria remained in the contest and equalised in the 83rd minute. Lina Boussaha scored from Sofia Bekhaled’s assist, sending the match to penalties after neither team found a winner before the end of normal time.

Algeria held the advantage in the shootout, winning 3-2 to collect the bronze medal. The finish adds to a historic campaign for Farid Benstiti’s team, which reached the WAFCON semi-finals for the first time and went beyond its previous best performance in the competition.

Algeria’s run to the last four had already delivered another major milestone: qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the country’s first appearance at the tournament. The bronze medal now gives that campaign a further landmark achievement.

Morocco had the stronger match numbers, controlling 60% of possession and recording seven shots on target to Algeria’s three. The hosts also led 11-3 in shots off target and 6-2 on corners, but Algeria’s late equaliser and shootout success decided the medal.

The result came with Morocco listed first on seven points after three matches and Algeria second on six. Morocco had entered the game with four wins and two draws in their previous five matches, while Algeria had won twice, drawn once and lost twice in that sequence.