Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah scored a decisive brace, including an eighty-seventh-minute equaliser and the extra-time winner, as Morocco defeated Jordan 3-2 to lift the Arab Cup on Thursday. In a contest that showcased the resilience of both nations, the Atlas Lions overcame a spirited second-half comeback from Jordan to reaffirm their status as the region’s dominant footballing power.
The match began in spectacular fashion for the North Africans. Just four minutes after kick-off, Oussama Tannane produced a moment of individual brilliance, spotting Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila off his line and launching an audacious strike from the centre circle. The ball dipped perfectly over the retreating keeper to give Morocco an early advantage. Despite the setback, a Jordan side buoyed by their historic qualification for the upcoming 2026 World Cup grew steadily into the game, eventually seizing control after the interval.
Leading the charge for “The Chivalrous Ones” was Ali Olwan, whose second-half performance briefly threatened to upend the pre-match favourites. Olwan levelled the scoring with a powerful header in the 48th minute, punishing a lapse in the Moroccan defence. Twenty minutes later, he doubled his tally from the penalty spot, firing Jordan into a 2-1 lead and bringing them within touching distance of a major upset. However, with regulation time winding down, Morocco’s persistence paid off. Hamed Allah found space in the penalty area to equalise three minutes from time, forcing the match into an additional thirty minutes. The veteran forward then completed the turnaround in extra time, reacting fastest to a loose ball to finish from close range and secure the trophy.
The victory highlights the extraordinary depth of talent currently available to Moroccan football. The squad achieved this success despite being unable to call upon their contingent of Europe-based stars, who remained with their clubs ahead of the upcoming continental window. The win marks the latest chapter in a golden era for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. It complements the senior team’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as recent triumphs at the youth level. In October, the Under-20 side became the first Arab nation to win the U-20 World Cup, defeating Argentina, while the Under-23 squad secured Olympic bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.
For Jordan, the defeat will be bitter, yet their ability to push the continent’s top-ranked side to the limit offers significant encouragement ahead of their maiden World Cup appearance in 2026. For Morocco, attention now shifts immediately to home soil. With the Arab Cup secured, the Atlas Lions will turn their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations, which the country is set to host from December 21 to January 18, as they aim to add the continental crown to their growing collection of titles.
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