MOROCCO – CONGO FOOT. After a draw (1-1) in Kinshasa, Morocco showed a more conquering face at home. Well helped by the double of the young Ounahi, the Atlas Lions could also count on the achievements of Tissoudali and Hakimi. They will play the next World Cup in Qatar.
23:51 – Summary of the meeting: Morocco too strong
Abused in Kinshasa during the first leg, Morocco showed a completely different face in front of their public. Led by young Ounahi, who scored twice, the Atlas Lions left Congo no chance. With a two-goal lead at half-time, Vahid Halilhodzic’s men showed their best side and scored two more goals.
Criticized, the coach of Morocco succeeded and, for the sixth time in their history, the country will participate in a World Cup next November in Qatar.
23:48 – Who is Azzedine Ounahi, man of the match?
First scorer in the match between Morocco and Congo, Ounahi finished his football training in Strasbourg in 2020 after having studied at Raja Casablanca. Not retained, he freely joined US Avranches, a club then playing in National 2. He played 27 league games and scored a total of 5 goals. He also plays three matches in the Coupe de France.
This summer, he was recruited by Angers, where he made a name for himself thanks to his unparalleled technique. After a CAN lived on the bench, Ounahi is playing this play-off return for the first time in the shoes of a holder and will play the World Cup next November.
23:42 – Vahid Halilhodzic wins his bet
After being eliminated in the quarter-finals against Egypt at the last CAN, Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic was in great danger during this confrontation against Congo. He had poorly prepared his first leg, managing to alienate two of his best players, Ziyech and Mazraoui, who refused to come to the selection.
Yet the coach of Morocco kept his head high and won his tactical fight against Hector Cuper, his friend from Congo. He will play his fourth World Cup in a row, after appearances with Côte d’Ivoire (2010), Algeria (2014) and Japan (2018).
23:38 – The back-to-back of Morocco
Thanks to its success against Congo, Morocco has validated its ticket for the next World Cup in Qatar. After the 2018 edition, the Atlas Lions achieve the performance of competing in two World Cups in a row, only for the second time in their history.
The first time dates back to participation in the 1994 and 1998 editions.
23:35 – 6th participation in the World Cup for Morocco
Thanks to this great success against Congo at home, Morocco will play for the second time in its history a second World Cup in a row. In its history, the Atlas Lions have known the 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018 editions. Its best result remains a round of 16 in 1986 in Mexico.
23:31 – End of the game!
Morocco has succeeded! After resisting the first leg, the Atlas Lions quickly took shelter in this meeting. If Tissoudali scored again u goal, the big man of the meeting is none other than the young Azzedine Ounahi, author of his first two goals in selection.
23:27 – The Bakambu disappointment
Too imprecise during the first leg in Kinshasa, the Congo striker was non-existent in this meeting against Morocco. He has just given up his place to Kebano and will have to wait to taste the joys of participating in a World Cup.
23:25 – Entry of Mbokani
Top scorer of the selection with 22 goals scored, Dieumerci Mbokani will play the last minutes of the match against Morocco. He is expected to retire from international duty at the end of the game.
23:23 – Malango’s exceptional goal
Just entering the game, the Congo striker distinguished himself with this magnificent volley.
23:19 – Hakimi’s goal on video
A basic man in his coach’s system, the right-back scored Morocco’s 4th goal, against an overwhelmed Congo.
23:18 – Exit of Tissoudali
A key player in the two confrontations, the Morocco striker came out to a standing ovation at the Mohamed V stadium. He was replaced by Sofiane Boufal.
23:16 – Goal for Congo
For his first ball, Malango Ngita saves the honor of Congo, thanks to a wonderful goal in first intention.
23:13 – Eighth selection goal for Hakimi
By scoring Morocco’s fourth goal shortly after the hour mark, the right-back scored 8 goals in 47 caps with the Atlas Lions.
23:07 – Goal of Morocco!
Mass has been said ! The Congo goalkeeper fended off a fine strike from Ounahi, but Hakimi was prowling outside the penalty area and only had to push the ball into the back of the net.
23:05 – Oh the failure of Morocco!
Found too easily in the penalty area, Tissoudali crosses his shot but hits the post! the ball comes back on him but he gets in the way with his teammate El Kaabi and finally Congo will be able to get away.
23:02 – Rescue on the Ounahi line!
Ounahi MVP! following a corner hit returning from Kakuta, a teammate manages to place a crossed header pushed back in extremis on the line by the young player from Morocco.
23:00 – Yellow card for Amale
The Congo midfielder collects a yellow card for protest. This is the first warning for the Leopards.
22:58 – Wissa close to reducing the score
Immediate response from Congo with a tight cross in the direction of Yoane Wissa at six meters. The Brentford player cuts the trajectory but the ball goes just past the right post.
22:54 – Leopards off topic
So aggressive and exciting during the first meeting in Kinshasa, Congo has shown nothing since the start of this match. If the score reflects Morocco’s superiority, the Leopards may regret their lack of inefficiency in the first leg.
22:49 – Huge parade by Kiassumbua!
The Congo goalkeeper keeps his team alive in this meeting against Morocco, winning their head-to-head against Tissoudali very close to a double.
22:49 – Ounahi doubled!
The goal of the knockout! the young midfielder comes to conclude a superb counter-attack and scores the first double in his young career!
22:47 – Kakuta comes into play
Congo coach Hector Cuper plays his all-out since he takes out his defender Luyindama instead of Kakuta.
22:46 – Ounahi’s goal on video
Following a clearance from the Congo defence, the Morocco midfielder scored his first national goal, putting his team in an ideal position.