Breaking: Morocco grind past Syria 1-0 to reach Arab Cup semifinals
I can confirm Morocco are into the Arab Cup 2025 semifinals after a 1-0 win over Syria in Al Rayyan. Waleed Azaro delivered the moment, guiding in the winner in the 78th minute. The match at Khalifa International Stadium felt tense from the first whistle to the last.
Syria’s unbeaten run is over. Morocco’s belief is not. And the path to the trophy just got real.
Match snapshot
For seventy minutes, Syria held firm. Elias Hadaya, their excellent goalkeeper, kept them alive with brave stops and strong hands. He read crosses well. He stood tall one on one. He gave his defenders a voice and a pace to follow.
Morocco kept pushing. They moved the ball side to side and hunted for gaps. The pressure told late. With fresh legs on after the 65th minute, the attack finally clicked. The breakthrough came when a low shot was parried into space. Azaro reacted first, and he did not miss. It was a poacher’s finish, calm and clean, in front of a roaring end.
The game still had sting. In stoppage time, Mohamed Moufid saw red after a VAR review. Morocco had to close out the final minutes with ten men. They did, showing control and poise under stress. That steel matters in knockout football.
Key facts: Morocco 1, Syria 0. Goal, Waleed Azaro 78. Red card, Mohamed Moufid in added time after VAR.
The turning point, fresh legs and faster play
The match flipped after Morocco’s wave of changes around the 65th minute. The tempo rose. The wingers attacked the byline. Fullbacks joined and pinned Syria deeper. The midfield moved the ball quicker, with fewer touches and more angles. The result was pressure that felt constant, not hopeful.
Azaro thrived with that service. His movement across the front line pulled Syria’s center backs out of shape. When the loose ball came, he was set and balanced. That is the craft of a seasoned striker. One chance, one strike, one semifinal.
Syria’s stand
Syria did a lot right. Their block was tight and honest. Lines stayed compact, and they closed the half spaces quickly. On set pieces, they attacked the ball with force. On counters, they aimed early for runs in behind. They did not create many clear shots, but they were never easy to break.
Hadaya was the face of that effort. He saved low. He tipped high. He organized. His performance kept Syria in the fight until the very end.
Culture and stakes in Al Rayyan
The stadium thumped from both ends. Morocco’s support traveled in numbers, beating drums and waving red flags. Syria’s fans answered with pride and heart. That shared noise shaped the rhythm of the contest. Every tackle had weight. Every pass felt judged.
This tournament means more than a date on a calendar. It is a test of depth, nerve, and identity for Arab football. Nights like this show what the region’s game is building, and why it matters.
Watch Morocco’s wide play in the semifinal. Their speed on the flanks is the lever that lifts the attack.
What comes next
Morocco will face the winner of Algeria vs UAE in the semifinals. That is a clash with edges, no matter who emerges. They will have to adjust without Moufid, who now faces suspension. The staff will also manage minutes after a hard, humid night in Al Rayyan.
The formula is clear. Keep the back line calm. Feed the wings. Trust Azaro’s timing. If the substitutes hit again, Morocco will be hard to stop.
- Final score: Morocco 1, Syria 0
- Scorer: Waleed Azaro, 78
- Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Red card: Mohamed Moufid, Morocco, stoppage time
- Next: Morocco vs winner of Algeria vs UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who scored the winning goal?
A: Waleed Azaro scored in the 78th minute for Morocco.
Q: Why did Morocco finish with ten men?
A: Mohamed Moufid was sent off in stoppage time after a VAR review.
Q: Where was the match played?
A: At Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Q: Who stood out for Syria?
A: Goalkeeper Elias Hadaya made several key saves and led their defense.
Q: Who will Morocco face next?
A: Morocco will meet the winner of Algeria vs UAE in the semifinals.
Conclusion
Morocco bent the game to their will when it mattered most. Syria defended with courage, yet the fine margin went the other way. Azaro’s strike was the difference. A late red card raised the drama, not the outcome. The Atlas Lions march on, sharper and surer, with the semifinal now in clear view.
