Already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Morocco’s national football team capped off a flawless African qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Congo on Tuesday night at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
With their 16th in a row across all competitions, the Atlas Lions not only sealed their perfect run in Group E but also set a new world record for consecutive victories, underlining their status as one of the most dominant teams in international football today.
The game’s only goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 63rd minute who netted an inch-perfect cross from the captain Achraf Hakimi.
With this victory, the Atlas Lions are the undisputed leaders of Group E with 24 points earned from eight consecutive victories. Walid Regragui’s protégés secured their ticket to the World Cup after their resounding 5-0 victory over Niger in the previous round of African qualifiers.
In addition to qualifying for the World Cup and finishing top of the group, the national team made history by becoming the first team in the world to win 16 consecutive international matches, beating the record jointly held by Germany and Spain (15 consecutive wins).
In the match against Congo, which saw Soufiane El Karouani start at left back and Hamza Igamane as center forward, the Atlas Lions wasted no time in showing threat, with their first clear chance coming in the second minute after a cross from Brahim Diaz that Ismael Saibari failed to convert into a goal.
During the first quarter of an hour of play, the Moroccan players attempted to increase the pace, opting for quick passes in an effort to break through the opposing team’s defensive line.
Relying on counterattacks, the Congolese tried their luck in the 27th minute with a long-range shot, but it posed little threat to Yassine Bounou.
At the end of the first half, the Atlas Lions created two clear chances to open the scoring, notably through Eliesse Ben Seghir, but without success.
After the break, Walid Regragui replaced Eliesse Ben Seghir with Youssef En-Nesyri to make better use of aerial balls. It was a choice that paid off, as En-Nesyri scored the winning goal for the national team in the 63rd minute, following a decisive pass from Achraf Hakimi.
After this goal, the national coach made several changes to inject fresh blood into the team. Ilias Akhomach, Adam Masina, and Ayoub El Kaabi were subbed on for Jawad El Yamiq, Hamza Igamane, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
The Atlas Lions dominated the game up until the final whistle, creating numerous scoring opportunities thanks in particular to Ismael Saibari, Ilias Akhomach, and Ayoub El Kaabi, but the Congolese defense held firm and the Moroccan attackers were too hasty, preventing the Atlas Lions from adding to their tally.
