CAN 2025: Brahim Diaz leads Morocco against Mali at halftime

AFCON 26 December 2025 at 16:01

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CAN 2025: Brahim Diaz leads Morocco against Mali at halftime

26.12.25 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco

Mali

The clash between the Atlas Lions and Mali’s Eagles is living up to its promise this Friday night, with an electric atmosphere. Brahim Diaz is the sole scorer at the break.

Morocco, the host nation for this CAN 2025, is provisionally through to the round of 16 in their own tournament. In a match they have dominated against Mali, the Moroccans waited until the dying moments of the first half to finally break the deadlock.

Indeed, Gassama handled the ball from Brahim Diaz as he tried to defend against his dribble. After a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot and awarded Morocco a penalty. The Real Madrid midfielder stepped up and duly converted—yes, he scored.

#CANALPLUSCAN: Brahim Diaz breaks the deadlock from the penalty spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/98lVsCf4QZ
— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) December 26, 2025

Score: 1-0 for the Atlas Lions at halftime.

Brahim Diaz finds the net with the game’s first goal from the penalty spot ⚽🎯

𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋 ⚽!! Brahim Diaz opens the scoring from the penalty spot! #DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/Yghs9cPdjb
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) December 26, 2025

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.