Brahim Diaz wrote a new chapter in his growing story with Morocco by entering a very exclusive club in Africa Cup of Nations history on Friday night.
The Real Madrid playmaker struck again at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, scoring in the 27th minute of the quarterfinal against Cameroon. The goal came after a corner was swung into the box, Ayoub El Kaabi rose to meet it with a header, and the ball fell perfectly for Diaz, who guided it calmly into the net.
Diaz had already found the net against Zambia, Comoros, Mali and Tanzania earlier in the tournament, and his latest strike took him to five goals, putting him alone at the top of the scoring charts at this edition.
Statistics specialists Opta highlighted the scale of his achievement, noting that only four players have ever scored in five separate matches at a single Afcon: Ndaye Mulamba for DR Congo in 1974, Mohamed Nagy Gedo for Egypt in 2010, Vincent Aboubakar for Cameroon in 2022, and now Diaz for Morocco in 2025.
The clash itself has been billed as a “early final”, given the rich history and continental stature of both Morocco and Cameroon.
Morocco are pushing hard, backed by a passionate home crowd, to win a second African title after their lone triumph in 1976, while Cameroon are chasing a sixth crown to reinforce their status among the tournament’s most decorated teams.
