Tunisia and Algeria share spoils in tense WAFCON derby stalemate
Tunisia and Algeria played out a tense goalless draw in Casablanca as both sides missed the opportunity to take control of their WAFCON 2025 Group B campaign.
In a clash that pitted two familiar North African neighbours against each other, the much-anticipated Maghreb derby at Stade Père Jégo offered intensity and grit but ultimately lacked the cutting edge, as neither side managed to break the deadlock.
Tunisia, who came into the match desperate to respond after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in their opener, showed far more discipline and attacking intent than in their previous outing.
Yet despite their renewed purpose, they failed to convert promising opportunities into goals, extending their scoreless run at WAFCON finals to five consecutive matches.
The Carthage Eagles came closest in the first half when Sana Guermazi forced a fingertip save from Algerian goalkeeper Chloé N'Gazi following a flowing team move.
Moments later, Myriam Bayahia saw her close-range header blocked inside a crowded box, reflecting Tunisia's inability to turn pressure into tangible results.
Algeria, fresh from a morale-boosting win over Botswana, dominated long spells of possession and carved out clearer chances in the second half.
Marine Dafeur and Lina Boussaha were both denied by Tunisian goalkeeper Soulayma Jebrani, who delivered a commanding performance between the posts.
Coach Farid Benstiti's side looked the more composed of the two, but the final ball often lacked precision. Inès Boutaleb and Amira Ould Braham found space in the final third yet struggled to capitalise on it, with Tunisia's backline standing firm.
Late efforts from Mélinne D'Oria and Ghoutia Karchouni were comfortably handled by Jebrani, and Tunisia's last-ditch attacking efforts — including a speculative 35-yard free-kick from Samia Aouni — failed to threaten the Algerian goal.
Algeria move to four points and remain unbeaten in the group, placing them in a favourable position ahead of their final group clash with Nigeria.
Tunisia, on one point, now face Botswana in a must-win encounter if they are to keep alive their hopes of a historic first quarter-final appearance.
While the match lacked goals, it was a compelling tactical battle—one shaped by mutual respect, historic familiarity, and high stakes. The point may yet prove valuable, but for Tunisia, the wait for a WAFCON goal—and redemption—goes on.
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