“Brahim Díaz breaks the deadlock just before halftime, finishing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner after sustained Morocco pressure.”
Pivotal“Ounahi makes no mistake the second time, converting from the center of the box after being set up by Soufiane Rahimi to put the game beyond doubt.”
Pivotal“Soufiane Rahimi is booked for simulation as Morocco see out the closing stages comfortably with the game already decided.”
Lesotho
Morocco
Outstanding performance
Morocco•MidfielderMorocco dominated from start to finish, racking up 79% possession and 19 shots to Lesotho's 6, and their control translated into an early lead when Brahim Díaz finished off a flowing move right before halftime. Lesotho, sitting deep and committing 23 tackles just to stay competitive, held firm defensively for long stretches but simply couldn't generate any meaningful attacking threat, managing zero big chances all match. Morocco's rotation of star quality off the bench - bringing on Hakimi, Rahimi and Ezzalzouli - added fresh legs and firepower, with Ounahi eventually doubling the lead in the 82nd minute after his earlier effort was saved by Moerane. The result continues Morocco's imperious qualifying form while Lesotho's underlying numbers point to another difficult night in a campaign where big gaps in class remain the story.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt missed by Neo Mokhachane from Lesotho, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Motlomelo Mkwanazi from Lesotho misses a header from the left side of the six-yard box, sending the ball to the left. The attempt was assisted by Molefi Kulehile, who provided a cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Lesotho after Zakaria El Ouahdi concedes.
Soufiane Rahimi from Morocco has fallen to the ground, but the referee decides it's simulation.
Soufiane RahimiYellow CardSoufiane Rahimi of Morocco receives a yellow card.
Substitution for Lesotho: Tsepo Toloane comes on for Thabo Mafatle.
Substitution for Morocco: Tawfik Bentayeb comes on for Ismael Saibari.
Substitution for Morocco: Soufiane El-Faouzi comes on for Azzedine Ounahi.
assist: Soufiane Rahimi
Goal! Morocco leads Lesotho 2-0. Azzedine Ounahi scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Soufiane Rahimi.
Foul committed by Neo Mokhachane of Lesotho.
Zakaria El Ouahdi from Morocco is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Azzedine Ounahi's right-footed shot from the center of the box is saved by Sekhoane Moerane in the center of the goal. The assist came from Abde Ezzalzouli.
Neo Mokhachane from Lesotho is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Bilal El Khannouss commits a foul for Morocco.
Corner awarded to Morocco after Tlotliso Mapola concedes.
Thabo Makhele from Lesotho misses a header from the right side of the box, sending the ball to the left. Neo Mokhachane provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Corner awarded to Lesotho after Zakaria El Ouahdi concedes.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Molefi Kulehile from Lesotho.
Oussama TarghallineYellow CardOussama Targhalline from Morocco receives a yellow card for a foul.
Neo Mokhachane from Lesotho is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Oussama Targhalline of Morocco.
Morocco is awarded a corner after Tlotliso Mapola concedes it.
Molefi Kulehile from Lesotho commits a foul.
Zakaria El Ouahdi from Morocco is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Bakuena Ramakatsa from Lesotho wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Bilal El Khannouss commits a foul for Morocco.
Attempt saved. Bakuena Ramakatsa from Lesotho has a right-footed shot from a challenging angle and long range on the left, but Yassine Bounou from Morocco saves it in the bottom left corner. Neo Mokhachane provided the assist.
Substitution for Morocco: Achraf Hakimi comes on for Noussair Mazraoui due to an injury.
Substitution for Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi comes on for Brahim Díaz.
Substitution for Morocco: Abde Ezzalzouli comes on for Neil El Aynaoui.
Corner awarded to Lesotho after a concession by Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Noussair Mazraoui from Morocco.
Attempt saved. Brahim Díaz from Morocco has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Sekhoane Moerane of Lesotho, who is positioned in the center of the goal. The assist came from Azzedine Ounahi.
Corner awarded to Morocco after Thabang Malane concedes.
Thabang Malane from Lesotho is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Ismael Saibari commits a foul for Morocco.
Azzedine Ounahi from Morocco misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it high and wide to the right. Oussama Targhalline provided the assist.
Substitution for Lesotho: Tlotliso Mapola comes on for Katleho Koaeane.
Substitution for Lesotho: Molefi Kulehile comes on for Motebang Sera.
Ismael Saibari from Morocco misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the right. He was assisted by Bilal El Khannouss.
Thabo Mafatle from Lesotho commits a foul.
Brahim Díaz from Morocco wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Azzedine Ounahi from Morocco misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it high and wide to the left. Oussama Targhalline provided the assist.
Offside for Morocco. Noussair Mazraoui is flagged for offside.
Substitution for Lesotho: Bakuena Ramakatsa comes on for Teboho Letsema.
The second half begins with the score at Lesotho 0, Morocco 1.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 2 minutes of added time.
The first half ends with Lesotho 0, Morocco 1.
Goal! Morocco takes the lead 1-0 against Lesotho. Brahim Díaz scores with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner.
Attempt missed. Azzedine Ounahi's right-footed shot from the center of the box for Morocco is too high. He was assisted by Noussair Mazraoui.
Attempt blocked. Noussair Mazraoui's right-footed shot from outside the box for Morocco is blocked. Brahim Díaz provided the assist.
Motebang Sera from Lesotho wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal commits a foul for Morocco.
Ismael Saibari's header from a tough angle on the left is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Bilal El Khannouss with a cross.
Foul committed by Neo Mokhachane of Lesotho.
Noussair Mazraoui from Morocco wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Thabo Mafatle from Lesotho commits a foul.
Azzedine Ounahi from Morocco wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ismael Saibari of Morocco is caught offside.
Morocco is awarded a corner after Motlomelo Mkwanazi concedes.
Thabang Malane from Lesotho commits a foul.
Bilal El Khannouss from Morocco is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Offside for Morocco. Zakaria El Ouahdi is flagged for offside.
Motebang Sera from Lesotho wins a free kick on the left wing.
Issa Diop commits a foul for Morocco.
Attempt missed. Brahim Díaz (Morocco) takes a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it goes wide to the left.
Azzedine Ounahi's right-footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is blocked.
Thabang Malane from Lesotho commits a foul.
Azzedine Ounahi from Morocco is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Zakaria El Ouahdi (Morocco) had a right-footed shot from the center of the box that went to the right. He was assisted by Azzedine Ounahi.
Corner awarded to Lesotho after a concession by Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.
Thabo Makhele from Lesotho misses a header from the right side of the box, sending it to the left. He was assisted by Neo Mokhachane, who provided a cross after a corner.
Attempt saved. Bilal El Khannouss from Morocco has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Sekhoane Moerane from Lesotho saves it in the top center of the goal. The assist came from Neil El Aynaoui.
Thabo Mafatle from Lesotho is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Azzedine Ounahi commits a foul for Morocco.
Attempt blocked. Ismael Saibari's left-footed shot from the left side of the box for Morocco is blocked.
Corner awarded to Morocco after Thabo Makhele concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Motebang Sera from Lesotho.
Bilal El Khannouss from Morocco misses a header from the right side of the box, sending it to the left. The attempt was assisted by Azzedine Ounahi, who provided a cross after a corner.
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Bilal El Khannouss.
Morocco is awarded a corner after Motlomelo Mkwanazi concedes it.
Motebang Sera from Lesotho wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Issa Diop commits a foul for Morocco.
Rethabile Mokokoane from Lesotho commits a handball.
Corner awarded to Lesotho after a concession by Bilal El Khannouss.
Attempt blocked. Brahim Díaz's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Bilal El Khannouss, who provided the cross.
Motebang Sera from Lesotho commits a handball.
Azzedine Ounahi's right-footed shot from the left side of the box for Morocco is blocked. Noussair Mazraoui provided the assist.
Thabo Lesaoana from Lesotho is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Ismael Saibari commits a foul for Morocco.
Foul committed by Teboho Letsema from Lesotho.
Issa Diop from Morocco is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
First half begins.
Morocco head to South Africa in commanding form after thrashing Gabon, while a winless Lesotho side try to bounce back from an opening-day defeat to Niger. With Lesotho unable to host at home, this Group A clash unfolds on neutral turf in Bloemfontein, where history and current form heavily favor the Atlas Lions.
