Published on : 25/01/2022 – 15:53Modified : 26/01/2022 – 00:06
Morocco largely dominated Malawi on Tuesday despite a surprise goal from the Flames at the start of the match (2-1). This success in Yaoundé opens the doors of the Atlas Lions to the quarter-finals where they will face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire – Egypt.
Mission accomplished for Morocco. Eliminated in the round of 16 in 2019, the Atlas Lions did not fail this time. Despite their opponents opening the score early, they dismissed Malawi on Tuesday, January 25, keeping control of the ball throughout the match to qualify for the quarter-finals of CAN-2022.
The match begins quietly after a minute of silence observed in memory of the victims of the crowd movement that occurred before Cameroon-Comoros. While the two blocks observe and gauge each other without putting themselves in danger, a clap of thunder resounds in the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium: Mhango sends a shot from 35 meters which will lodge directly in the skylight of Bounou (6th, 0- 1).
The Moroccans were picked cold and immediately go into high gear. Then begins a long attack-defense between the North African favorite and his outsider. Louza saw several of his attempts repelled (15th, 17th) while En-Nesyri failed to equalize on multiple occasions (20, 29th, 36th). Saïss finds the bar by heading a free kick (34th) and Hakimi sees a shot from a set piece being dislodged from the skylight by Charles Thom (28th).
Morocco takes Malawi by the throat
On the Malawi side, we are not giving up on increasing our advantage, taking advantage in particular of the speed of Mhango who comes up against Bounou but crosses his shot too much (23rd). The linesman finally signals an offside.
The Atlas Lions finally find the fault just before returning to the locker room. Amallah crosses and En-Nesyri takes the lead. The goalkeeper is finally beaten (45th + 1, 1-1).
On returning from the locker room, the Moroccans are superior but the attacks launched are now sterile and not very worrying. Opposite, the Flames are less timid than in the first half and are projecting forward again. Madinga sends a perfect cross but neither Mhango nor Bounou manage to take it back (62nd).
Hakimi very prominent in this match is in all the right moves. On a breakthrough on the right side, his shot hits the hand of a Malawian. The referee does not flinch however (66th). But, a few moments later, he gives the advantage to Morocco with a free kick almost identical to that scored against Gabon in the pool match (70th, 2-1).
After 64 minutes chasing after the score, the Moroccans can take a breather while trying to take cover for good. Mmaee beats his left side defender and crosses back for En-Nesyri, who aims for the side netting. His shot is blocked (77th).
Despite the good resistance of Malawi, Morocco is therefore qualified for the quarter-finals. The Atlas Lions will have a challenge to match as they face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire–Egypt.
Relive the match with our liveblog :
