Moroccan National Team Crowned Arab Cup Champions

SadaNews - The Moroccan national team has been crowned the Arab Cup 2025 champions after a thrilling victory over Jordan with a score of 3-2 this Thursday evening at the "Lusail" stadium in a historic final that featured many wonderful moments.

The Moroccan team, led by coach Tarik Sketiyou, has won the title for the second time in its history, following their victory in the 2012 edition, while the adventure of the Jordanian team, led by Moroccan coach Jamal Salami, ended after suffering their first defeat in the tournament after five consecutive victories.

The Atlas Lions claimed the title after a dramatic match in every sense of the word, with Morocco taking the lead through a stunning goal from Osama Tnan in the fourth minute, while Ali Alwan equalized for Jordan in the 48th minute.

Alwan put Jordan ahead with a penalty in the 68th minute before substitute Abdul Razak Hamdallah ignited the atmosphere and equalized in the 87th minute, sending the match into extra time where Hamdallah scored the winning goal in the 100th minute.

The match began with an exciting rhythm right from the first moments, featuring a quick Jordanian attack that was cleared by the Moroccan defense, while Jordanian defenders thwarted a quick Moroccan attack from a cross from the right side.

Osama Tnan successfully scored the opening goal for Morocco just 4 minutes into the game with a rocket shot from midfield that found the net of the advancing goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Layla, who collided with the post.

Abu Layla received treatment after the goal-scoring play but refused to leave the match despite his teammate Nour Bani Atiah being ready to warm up.

The Jordanian team sought to respond quickly with passes that failed to ignite the spark, while a Moroccan attempt was wasted from a cross sent by Zahzuh.

Moroccan striker Karim Al-Barakawi was replaced in the 16th minute after feeling muscle pains that forced his substitution with his teammate Ashraf Mehdiwi.

The Moroccan team controlled the midfield after a series of passes amidst a physical and technical decline from Jordan in one of the weakest halves for the Jordanians in the tournament.

Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Layla was able to clear a dangerous cross from Osama Tnan, while the Jordanian defense courageously blocked a shot from Harimat.

Jordan's players demanded a penalty for a handball following a shot from Muhannad Abu Taha outside the penalty area.

The Moroccan team continued its attempts with a powerful shot that was cleared by Abu Layla from the left side, while Mahmoud Al-Mardhi attempted a counterattack for Jordan without effect, then the player complained of shoulder pain but continued to play.

Player Issam Al-Samiri starred with an incredible save in the 41st minute after clearing the ball off the goal line following a shot from Amin Zahzuh, saving a certain goal chance as the first half ended with Morocco in the lead.

The second half began with the introduction of Adham Al-Qurashi and the return of Al-Fakhouri to the Jordanian lineup at the expense of Sharara and Muhannad Samreen, and Ali Alwan managed to equalize for Jordan with a header in the 48th minute from a well-placed cross.

The Jordanian team notably improved its offensive performance in the second half, with an attempt from the Jordanians wasted by Abu Taha, while the Moroccan team attempted a cross that Azaro headed narrowly past the post.

The Jordanian team was awarded a penalty after a powerful shot from Mahmoud Al-Mardhi hit the hand of player Ashraf Mehdiwi in the 64th minute; the referee awarded a penalty after a video review, allowing Ali Alwan to score the leading goal.

Coach Tarik Sketiyou made three substitutions simultaneously, introducing striker Abdul Razak Hamdallah, Munir Shawair, and Saber Bougrine, while the Atlas Lions applied significant pressure on the Jordanian defense, with Muhannad Abu Taha clearing a clear chance for Morocco.

A dangerous opportunity was squandered by Abdul Razak Hamdallah with a shot on goal, which Abu Taha excelled at saving, while Mahmoud Benatij replaced Hamza Moussaoui, and Rajai Ayad played for Jordan instead of Amer Jamous.

In the 87th minute, Morocco successfully scored the equalizing goal after a cross deflected off a header toward Jordan's goal; however, Yazeed Abu Layla saved the opportunity, and Hamdallah followed up into the net amidst protests that the play was offside.

Mohammed Abu Hashish replaced Al-Mardhi for Jordan in the 90th minute, while a Moroccan opportunity from a cross was given a handball against Amin Zahzuh, and a near chance for Ali Alwan was wasted with a shot over the crossbar.

Hamdallah called for a penalty for a collision against him in Jordan's penalty area, while Ali Alwan missed a clear chance with the goalkeeper, then a Moroccan shot went over the crossbar as the original time ended in a tie, leading to extra time.

The extra time began with great excitement following a brilliant shot from Muhannad Abu Taha that found the net for Morocco, but the referee disallowed it in the 92nd minute for a handball against a Jordanian player.

Benatij, a Moroccan player, fell on the edge of the penalty area after being fouled following a fantastic clearance from Yazeed Abu Layla from a cross by Hamdallah, and the Moroccan team scored the third goal in the 100th minute through Hamdallah after following up a well-placed cross.

An attempt by Jordanian player Hussam Abu Dhahab was near the post, while Ali Hajbi came on for Jordan instead of Abu Dhahab; Marwan Saadan replaced Azaro for Morocco, while Shawair wasted a shot into Abu Layla's hands, and Jordan introduced player Ahmed Al-Irsan instead of Al-Fakhouri to boost the attack.

Abu Layla caught a powerful shot from Shawair, and Nizar Al-Rashdan's last-minute attempt went over the crossbar while the Jordanians tried in the last minutes against a resilient Moroccan defense, clearing crosses from the Jordanians.

The referee added 3 minutes of stoppage time, and a chance from Bougrine was offside, while Abu Layla saved a clear opportunity from Hamdallah. The Moroccan team organized a counter-attack in the final moments to be crowned champions.