Madagascar surged to the top of Group I in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 4-1 victory over the Central African Republic at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Wednesday.
Despite an early setback, the Bareas displayed remarkable resilience in what was Corentin Martins’ debut as head coach.
The result temporarily places them at the summit of their group, pending upcoming matches involving Comoros, Mali, and Ghana.
Madagascar overcomes early deficit
The Central African Republic took an early lead in the ninth minute through Gambor, capitalizing on an energetic start.
Led by veteran Eloge Enza-Yamissi, the team appeared determined to secure a crucial victory.
However, Madagascar swiftly turned the tide.
Rayan Raveloson, the former Auxerre midfielder, spearheaded the comeback with a rapid-fire brace in the 17th and 21st minutes, both goals expertly assisted by Warren Caddy.
The quick turnaround left the Central African Republic struggling to regain composure, and the Bareas maintained control heading into halftime.
Second-half domination
Madagascar extended their lead early in the second half, with Randrianantenaina finding the net in the 49th minute to put the match further out of reach.
The Central African Republic’s hopes of a comeback faded as Madagascar continued to dictate the tempo.
Lalaina sealed the emphatic victory in the 89th minute, cementing a scoreline that not only boosted Madagascar’s position in the group but also delivered a significant blow to their opponents’ qualification hopes.
Group I standings
With this victory, Madagascar now sits atop Group I with 10 points from five matches.
However, their position remains tentative as both Comoros and Ghana, currently on nine points, have a game in hand and could surpass them with victories on Thursday.
Mali, sitting on five points, also remains in contention.
The Central African Republic, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle.
With just four points from five matches, their chances of qualifying for the World Cup appear increasingly slim, especially with a challenging fixture against Mali on Monday.
Next steps in the qualifiers
Madagascar will now shift their focus to a critical encounter against Ghana on Monday, which will also take place in Morocco.
A positive result in that match could solidify their standing in the group and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Meanwhile, the Central African Republic will look to salvage their campaign when they take on Mali.
As the qualifiers progress, Madagascar’s emphatic win not only highlights their growing prowess but also sets the stage for an intense battle for World Cup qualification in Group I.
