Brahim Díaz etched his name in Morocco’s football history on Sunday as the Atlas Lions secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tightly contested encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, saw Tanzania adopt a disciplined and rugged defensive approach that frustrated the hosts for long spells.

Morocco appeared to have broken the deadlock in the 24th minute when Ismail Saibari tapped home from close range, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.

The East Africans held firm to force a goalless first half, limiting Morocco’s attacking options and soaking up pressure with admirable resilience. However, their resistance finally crumbled in the 63rd minute.

Díaz, the Real Madrid forward, produced a moment of brilliance, firing home from a tight angle to beat the Tanzanian goalkeeper and send the home fans into celebration.

The goal proved decisive, sealing Morocco’s passage into the last eight and marking Díaz’s fourth strike of the tournament — a feat that makes him the first player in the country’s history to score four goals in a single AFCON campaign. Notably, he has now found the net in every match Morocco have played at the tournament.

Morocco will face the winner of the clash between South Africa and Cameroon in the quarter-finals at the Stade Al Madina, Rabat.

Speaking after the match, Díaz described Tanzania as Morocco’s toughest test so far.

“The competition is getting more intense, and Tanzania gave us our hardest game,” he said. “Not everything worked the way we wanted, but the most important thing is that we qualified. Now we will go back to work and prepare fully for the quarter-finals.”

Díaz was deservedly named Man of the Match following his influential display.