Morocco-Zambia (3-0): A display of strength and an acrobatic goal from El Kaabi for first place

A victory was needed to dispel the doubts born from the draw against Mali, and the Lions offered a festival. From the start, the Moroccan intentions were clear: to smother the opponent. The Zambian game plan only lasted nine minutes, the time for Ayoub El Kaabi to open the scoring and liberate the entire stadium. This early goal forced the Chipolopolo to open up, a boon for the sharp Moroccans. In the 27th minute, the unstoppable Brahim Diaz doubled the lead, punishing the opponents’ defensive lapses and sealing a one-sided first half where Yassine Bounou had a relatively quiet evening.

Upon returning from the locker room, the spectacle rose a notch. In the 50th minute, Ayoub El Kaabi offered the goal of the evening, and perhaps of the tournament, with a sumptuous acrobatic overhead kick that made the Moulay Abdellah complex erupt. At 3-0, the game was over. Walid Regragui was then able to manage his squad and offer the public the moment they were waiting for: the entry of Achraf Hakimi. Back from injury, the PSG full-back received a huge ovation, playing his first minutes to get back into the rhythm before the knockout stages.

With this clear and flawless victory, Morocco finish top of Group A with 7 points and send a strong message to the competition. The Lions remain in Rabat for their round of 16 match, where they will face one of the best third-placed teams (Groups C, D or E). For Zambia, on the other hand, the adventure ends here, the level gap being simply too great this evening.

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