Morocco‘s record-breaking 19-match profitable streak got here to an finish on Friday following a 1-1 draw in opposition to a resilient Mali in an Africa Cup of Nations Group A match.
Annoyed followers whistled the hosts off the pitch after they didn’t safe a spot within the knockout stage. Regardless of their standing as heavy favorites, Morocco could not discover a winner in a match dominated by two VAR-awarded penalties.
The Atlas Lions have now prolonged their unbeaten run to 22 matches, courting again to their Spherical of 16 exit within the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Whereas Morocco managed the primary half, they required a Brahim Díaz penalty to interrupt the impasse earlier than the interval. The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR assessment judged that Nathan Gassama had dealt with the ball whereas making an attempt to regain his stability after being crushed by Díaz.
1000’s of whistling Moroccan followers tried to assist referee Abdou Abdel Mefire make up his thoughts whereas he consulted replays earlier than he ultimately determined within the dwelling crew’s favor.
Tempers flared within the second half when Lassine Sinayoko was not awarded a penalty after being taken down by Jawad El Yamiq. Mefire checked the replays some minutes later and ultimately awarded the spot kick.
Sinayoko duly dispatched the penalty to equalize within the sixty fourth.
The house crew pushed exhausting for a winner that will have appeased the native followers, however Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra proved the distinction, denying Youssef En-Nesyri and in addition stopping an personal objective from Woyo Coulibaly.
France star Kylian Mbappé attended the sport, reportedly by invitation of his good pal, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, who warmed up however did not play as he awaits his return from an ankle harm.
Zambia drew 1-1 with Comoros within the early Group A fixture after each misplaced their opening video games.
Mohamed Salah scored once more for Egypt‘s 10 males within the Pharaohs’ 1-0 win over South Africa as his crew turned the primary one to succeed in the AFCON knockout stage.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.
