Arab Cup 2025: Morocco cruise past United Arab Emirates to book place in final

Morocco moved to within one match of lifting the Arab Cup after a composed and authoritative 3–0 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday night at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

The Atlas Lions, led by Tarik Sektioui, delivered a performance built on control, discipline and clinical finishing to secure their place in the final and underline their growing confidence as the tournament reaches its decisive stage.

From the opening exchanges, Morocco imposed themselves with a calm assurance, circulating the ball with purpose and limiting the United Arab Emirates to fleeting moments of possession.

Their territorial dominance was eventually rewarded in the 28th minute, when Karim El Berkaoui broke the deadlock.

The forward timed his movement well inside the box and finished decisively, giving Morocco a deserved lead and setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.

The goal further settled Sektioui’s side, who continued to dictate the tempo and manage the game intelligently.

Defensively, Morocco remained compact and well organised, cutting off passing lanes and preventing the UAE from building sustained attacks.

Any attempts to respond were met with disciplined pressing and quick recoveries, ensuring the advantage was preserved heading into the interval.

After the break, the United Arab Emirates sought to raise their intensity in an effort to claw their way back into the tie.

However, Morocco remained patient, refusing to be drawn into unnecessary risks.

Their ability to absorb pressure and strike at the right moment proved decisive as the match wore on.

That composure paid off again late in the game.

In the 83rd minute, Achraf El Mahdioui doubled Morocco’s advantage, effectively extinguishing any lingering hopes of a comeback.

His goal, the product of sustained pressure and intelligent positioning, gave the Atlas Lions a commanding cushion and reflected their superiority over the course of the evening.

As the UAE pushed forward in the closing moments, spaces opened up, and Morocco capitalised once more.

In stoppage time, Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah added the third goal in the 90+2 minute, delivering the final blow and putting a clear gloss on the scoreline.

The strike sealed a performance that was as efficient as it was controlled.

With this emphatic victory, Morocco become the first team to secure a place in the Arab Cup final.

Attention now turns to the outcome of the other semi-final, where Jordan face Saudi Arabia, with the winner set to meet the Atlas Lions in the decisive match.

The final is scheduled to take place on Thursday at the Lusail Stadium, a venue steeped in recent history after hosting the 2022 World Cup final.

For Morocco, the occasion represents another opportunity to affirm their strength on the regional stage and translate their consistency into silverware.

Sektioui’s side will head into the final buoyed by both the result and the manner of their performance.

Balanced across all areas of the pitch and ruthless when chances arose, Morocco showed the qualities required to succeed at the highest level.

With confidence high and momentum firmly on their side, the Atlas Lions will now look to complete the job and crown their Arab Cup campaign with a trophy.