Algeria have made history at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), securing their first-ever podium finish after defeating hosts Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout in the third-place playoff.
The Desert Foxes held their nerve to defeat Morocco 3-2 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, earning Algeria the bronze medal in Rabat. The result represents the best finish in the country’s history at the tournament.
Morocco took the lead in the first half through Kautar Azraf, who produced a composed finish to put the hosts ahead. Algeria responded strongly after the break and eventually found their equaliser through Lina Boussaha in the 83rd minute, sending the match to penalties.
Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle, setting up a tense shootout. Algeria ultimately prevailed 3-2, with Ines Belloumou converting the decisive penalty to seal a historic bronze medal.
The achievement caps an extraordinary tournament for Algeria. The team reached the WAFCON semi-finals for the first time, having previously never advanced that far in the competition. Although they lost to Malawi in the last four, their run was already enough to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Morocco, the result marks a disappointing conclusion to their home tournament. The Atlas Lionesses had reached the WAFCON final in both 2022 and 2024, but this time finished fourth after consecutive penalty-shootout defeats to Cameroon in the semi-finals and Algeria in the bronze-medal match.
The match also added another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two North African nations. Morocco had previously defeated Algeria 1-0 in the group stage, making Algeria’s eventual victory in the bronze-medal match an especially significant turnaround.
For Algeria, however, the result is about more than revenge. The bronze medal represents a landmark moment for women’s football in the country, confirming Algeria as one of the continent’s emerging powers and providing a historic first WAFCON podium finish.
After making history in Morocco, Algeria now leave the tournament with bronze medals, their best-ever WAFCON finish and a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
