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Marrakech – King Mohammed VI sent congratulations to Morocco’s national football team following their dramatic 3-2 victory over Jordan in the 2025 Arab Cup final at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium on Thursday.
The sovereign expressed his “warm congratulations and consideration for their beautiful victory in the Arab Cup-Qatar 2025, thus offering your dear homeland its second triumph in this championship.” The King noted this achievement “realizes a renewed exploit that strengthens the honorable place of Moroccan football at Arab and international levels.”
Morocco secured the continental title after a thrilling encounter that required extra time to decide the winner. The final marked a historic first between two Moroccan coaches, with Tarik Sektioui leading Morocco against Jordan’s Jamal Sellami. The match between two kingdoms was described as one of the best ever in the history of the Arab Cup.
After settling for a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Moroccans returned determined to go further – and this time, they claimed victory.
The Atlas Lions took an early lead through Oussama Tannane’s long-range strike in the fourth minute, exploiting Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila’s positioning.
The opening period saw Morocco dominate despite losing striker Karim El Berkaoui to injury in the 15th minute. Coach Sektioui replaced him with Ashraf El Mahdioui and adjusted tactical positions to compensate.
Morocco almost grabbed another goal just before half-time when Abu Laila could only parry a cross straight to Tannane, who was denied a second goal when Issam Smeeri brilliantly cleared his shot off the line.
Jordan responded strongly in the second half. Ali Alwan headed home the equalizer in the 48th minute from a corner kick sequence initiated by Mahmoud Al-Mardi and delivered by Mohannad Abu Taha.
The momentum shifted further when Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg awarded Jordan a penalty after VAR review, confirming El Mahdioui’s handball from Al-Mardi’s shot. Alwan converted from the spot in the 67th minute to give Jordan a 2-1 advantage.
Sektioui introduced veteran striker Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 72nd minute to strengthen the attack. The substitution proved decisive when Hamdallah equalized in the 88th minute, following up after goalkeeper Abu Laila parried an initial shot. VAR confirmed the goal’s validity.
The match extended into extra time after finishing 2-2 in regulation. Hamdallah completed the comeback in the 100th minute, converting a close-range opportunity from Mahmoud Bentayg’s cross to secure Morocco’s second Arab Cup title.
The sovereign praised the “exemplary patriotism and exceptional professionalism” displayed by the champion players, noting their ability “to meet the aspirations of passionate supporters.”
King Mohammed VI also acknowledged the technical staff who “confirmed their capacity to train talents and achieve Moroccan football prowess across all categories.”
The King commended Moroccan supporters in Qatar, describing their “strong usual patriotism in defending the national jersey and their enthusiastic and distinguished encouragement” as “a source of admiration and consideration for football-loving supporters and an example to follow.”
Goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid maintained a clean sheet throughout the first half despite Jordan’s pressure, while Morocco’s defensive structure held firm under sustained attacks from Sellami’s squad.
The monarch concluded by reiterating “with great pride, His warm congratulations to the national team members for this deserved triumph,” expressing wishes for “more success in their continuous and sustained efforts to raise the national flag high in different regional, continental and international events.”
The victory positions Morocco favorably ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON), which begins in Morocco late this week, with hopes of claiming the continental title on home soil.
Read also: UAE President Congratulates Morocco for Arab Cup Win
