Algeria have secured their first-ever podium finish at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties in the third-place play-off in Rabat.
The North African rivals were level at 1-1 at the end of regulation time before Algeria held their nerve in the shootout, with Ines Belloumou converting the decisive penalty to seal the bronze medal.
Morocco strike first
Morocco made the brighter start in front of the home crowd and nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-time effort struck the crossbar.
The hosts found the breakthrough nine minutes later. Kautar Azraf beat her marker before finishing with her left foot into the far corner to put Morocco ahead.
Morocco had opportunities to extend the advantage, including another opening for Jraidi in the second half, but Algeria gradually grew into the contest and began putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Boussaha forces the shootout
Algeria’s improvement after the interval eventually produced the equaliser in the 83rd minute. Melissa Bethi played Lina Boussaha through, and Boussaha kept her composure to beat the goalkeeper and make it 1-1.
Neither team found a winner before the final whistle, taking the contest to penalties. Algeria prevailed 3-2 from the spot, Belloumou scoring the decisive kick to complete a landmark result for the team.
A first podium finish for Algeria
The victory gives Algeria a bronze medal and the country’s first podium finish in Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history. It also provides a strong conclusion to a campaign in which Algeria reached the semi-finals before losing to Malawi.
The third-place match was the second meeting between Algeria and Morocco during the 2026 tournament. Morocco had edged their earlier encounter in the group stage, but Algeria reversed the outcome when a medal was at stake.
For Morocco, the shootout defeat means a fourth-place finish on home soil after another deep run in the continental championship.
Source: CAF – Algeria claim first-ever podium finish after penalty shootout win over hosts Morocco.
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