Morocco edge Côte d'Ivoire in tense penalty shoot-out

CAF

16-04-2025

In a thrilling encounter marked by tactical discipline and missed chances, Morocco edged Côte d'Ivoire 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes of regulation time. Both sides crafted several promising opportunities yet were ultimately let down by poor finishing, leaving the deadlock intact until the decider.
A Match of Opportunities and Tactics
From the first whistle, Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire engaged in a strategic battle, each side displaying solid defensive organization and counter-attacking intent.
Despite the intensity on the pitch, neither side managed to find the back of the net. The opening exchanges saw a number of dangerous moves as both teams pushed forward, but clinical precision in front of goal was noticeably lacking.
Morocco, buoyed by the energy of the home crowd, continued to press, while Côte d'Ivoire remained resilient, thwarting wave after wave of Moroccan attacks. The stalemate, however, persisted, setting the stage for an intense and nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out.
Decisive Penalty Shoot-Out
With regulation time having expired at 0-0, the match was forced into a penalty shoot-out. In a dramatic sequence of nerves and precision, Morocco held their nerve and emerged victorious with a 4-3 win on penalties. The tension was palpable as each kick contributed to the unfolding drama, with both goalkeepers playing crucial roles in keeping their teams in the contest.
What's Next
With this hard-fought victory, hosts Morocco advance to face Mali in the final, following Mali's commanding 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in an earlier match. The final, scheduled for Saturday, 19 April, promises to be an exciting showdown as Morocco looks to add another accolade to their rich tournament heritage.
For Côte d'Ivoire, the journey is not yet over. The Young Elephants will now play against fellow West African nation Burkina Faso in a playoff match, fighting for a podium finish and a chance to end the campaign on a high note.