WAFCON 2026: Lina Boussaha turns frustration into historic Algeria moment

Lina Boussaha rescued Algeria with a late equaliser against Morocco before helping the Greens secure third place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The Algerian striker was named player of the match after producing the decisive intervention that kept her side’s hopes of a podium finish alive at a crucial stage of the contest.

Boussaha answers Algeria’s call

Algeria had been trailing Morocco and needed a response as the match entered its closing stages. Boussaha became increasingly important to her team’s attempts to find a way back into the game.

For much of the evening, however, the striker had struggled to turn her opportunities into goals.

She had several chances to score but was unable to find the finishing touch. Despite that frustration, Boussaha remained involved in Algeria’s attacking efforts and continued to make herself available as her side searched for an equaliser.

Her persistence eventually paid off.

With only a few minutes of normal time remaining, Boussaha found the breakthrough Algeria needed. Her goal in the 84th minute brought the scores level and transformed the momentum of the match.

The equaliser gave Algeria renewed belief and forced Morocco to defend its position on the podium. The Atlas Lionesses had been close to securing victory, but Boussaha’s intervention ensured the contest would continue beyond regulation time.

A crucial equaliser

Boussaha’s goal proved to be more than just an individual reward after a difficult evening in front of goal.

The equaliser gave Algeria the opportunity to take the match to penalties, where Farid Benstiti’s side eventually prevailed. The victory secured the Greens a historic third-place finish at the tournament.

For Boussaha, the journey from missed opportunities to match-winning influence was particularly striking.

She had spent much of the match searching for the goal that would make the difference. Her inability to convert earlier chances had left Algeria facing the possibility of missing out on the podium.

But when the opportunity arrived in the 84th minute, she delivered.

The goal completely changed the outlook of the match and gave Algeria the platform from which to fight for third place.

From disappointment to recognition

Boussaha’s performance demonstrated the importance of persistence during a match in which chances do not always lead to goals.

Although she had been unable to make the most of her earlier opportunities, she continued to pressure the Moroccan defence and remained a constant presence in Algeria’s attacking play.

That determination ultimately brought its reward.

Her late strike revived Algeria’s hopes before the penalty shootout, and her contribution was recognised when she was named player of the match.

The award completed an evening that had begun with frustration but ended with one of the most important moments of her team’s campaign.

A defining moment for Algeria

Boussaha’s equaliser was central to Algeria’s historic run at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Rather than allowing missed chances to define her performance, the striker produced when her team needed her most. Her goal gave Algeria another chance to fight for the bronze medal, and the Greens took that opportunity by winning the subsequent shootout.

For Boussaha, the third-place match therefore became a story of perseverance.

She had struggled in front of goal, but continued to work for her team before eventually finding the net at a decisive moment. Her response helped Algeria recover from a difficult position and finish their campaign with a place on the continental podium.

The player-of-the-match award was fitting recognition for a striker whose most important contribution came when the pressure was at its highest.