The Atlas Lions Clinch the Title in Extra Time at Lusail Stadium

The Moroccan national team was crowned champion of the Arab Cup of Football, following an exciting 3-2 victory over their Jordanian counterpart in the final match held at Lusail Stadium north of the Qatari capital, Doha.

The regulation time of the match ended in a 2-2 draw, before the Atlas Lions secured the title during the first period of extra time, confirming their superiority and their second championship in the history of this Arab tournament.

Early World-Class Goal by Tannane Ignites the Final

The Moroccan national team did not wait long to impose its control, as Oussama Tannane opened the scoring early in the 4th minute with a magnificent long-range shot following a clever back-heel pass from Amin Zohzouh, which Jordanian goalkeeper Yazid Abu Layla was unable to stop.

After the first goal, the national team continued its pressure in search of extending the lead, but attempts by Walid Azzaro and Karim Barkaoui did not translate into goals, before the national coach was forced to substitute Barkaoui due to injury.

Moroccan Dominance and Tactical Discipline in the First Half

The national players applied high pressure on the Jordanian defense, preventing them from building play smoothly, amid clear Moroccan superiority in midfield led by Mohamed Rabii Hrimat and the solid positioning of Achraf Mahdioui.

The Moroccan national team players excelled in exchanging passes and executing attacking automatisms, with great interaction from the fans filling the stands of Lusail Stadium, ending the first half with Morocco leading 1-0.

Alwan Brings Jordan Back into the Match from Two Set Pieces

At the start of the second half, the Jordanian national team equalized through Ali Alwan, who capitalized on a defensive lapse and scored the equalizer with a header in the 48th minute.

The Jordanian national team was awarded a penalty after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which Alwan successfully converted into a second goal in the 68th minute, giving his national team the lead.

Substitutions Lead to a Comeback in the Scoreline

The national coach responded by making three substitutions at once in the 71st minute, bringing on Abderrazak Hamdallah, Munir El Haddadi, and Saber Bougrine, seeking to turn the tide.

The substitutions bore fruit with an equalizing goal in the dying moments of the match, as Abderrazak Hamd

Lusail Stadium

Lusail Stadium is a state-of-the-art football venue located in Lusail City, Qatar, and was the primary stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosting the final match. It was inaugurated in 2021 and designed with a striking golden exterior inspired by traditional Arab craftsmanship. The stadium’s construction was a central part of Qatar’s infrastructure development for the tournament and its surrounding area is planned to become a sustainable urban district.

Arab Cup of Football

The Arab Cup of Football is a regional international tournament organized by FIFA and the Arab Football Association, first held in 1963. It features national teams from the Arab world and has served as both a standalone competition and, most recently in 2021, as a test event for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Atlas Lions

The “Atlas Lions” is the nickname for the Moroccan national football team, not a physical place or cultural site. The name derives from the Barbary lion that historically inhabited the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. The team has a celebrated history, most notably becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2022.