08/15/26 02:58:00
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08/15 14:56 CDT Algeria beats Morocco 3-2 on penalties to finish third at
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Algeria beats Morocco 3-2 on penalties to finish third at Women's Africa Cup of
Nations
RABAT, Morocco (AP) --- Algeria defeated Morocco 3-2 on penalties to finish
third at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday and leave its old rival
with a bitter taste after failing to win any of the three editions in a row it
has hosted.
Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina had the chance to seal victory in stoppage time with
a penalty, but she struck the post and the match finished 1-1 to set up the
shootout.
Benzina's spot kick was awarded after a VAR check penalized Algeria's Lana
Smits for catching Sakina Ouzraoui in the face with a flailing arm. Ouzraoui
stayed down and held her mouth as she waited for the referee's whistle.
Lina Boussaha had scored late for Algeria, canceling out Kautar Azraf's goal
before the break for the hosts.
Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N'Gazin saved two penalties in the shootout, leaving
Morocco coach Jorge Vilda -- who won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 --
nonplussed on the sideline.
It's Algeria's best finish at a WAFCON.
Morocco's bid to reach the final for the third time straight ended after defeat
to Cameroon on penalties in their semifinal.
Cameroon will play tournament debutant Malawi in Sunday's final.
All four semifinalists have qualified for the Women's World Cup in Brazil next
year, while Ghana and South Africa kept their qualification hopes alive by
progressing to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.
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