Missed penalty fuels Algeria's dramatic third‑place win at CAN

Algeria clinched third place at the CAN Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 after a roller‑coaster finish against Morocco, where a missed penalty in the 90+7th minute was followed by a 3‑2 shootout win, sealing the Fennecs’ best ever tournament run.

Match drama unfolds

Le Maroc opened the scoring in the 37th minute through Kautar Azraf, forcing the Algerian side to chase the game. Algeria responded in the 83rd minute when Lina Boussah found the net, bringing the match level.

As the clock ticked into added time, VAR intervened and awarded a penalty to the Marocaines at 90+7 minutes. Nouahaila Benzina stepped up but saw her effort crash against the post, leaving the score at 1‑1. The encounter was then decided by penalties, with Algeria prevailing 3‑2 after the shootout.

Aftermath and upcoming final

With the shootout victory, Les Fennecs secured the third‑place podium, marking the best performance in their AFCON history. Le Maroc, despite the heartbreak, finished fourth, just outside the medals.

The CAN tournament was staged in Morocco, where the Marocaines had previously reached the final in 2022 and again in 2024. Those earlier runs had seen them fall short of the title.

In the semi‑finals, Malawi had dispatched Algeria 3‑1 to book their place in the final. Cameroon earned their fourth final appearance by eliminating Morocco on penalties after a 0‑0 draw, winning the shootout 3‑1.

The championship decider will be played on Sunday 16 August between the Scorchers of Malawi and the Lionesses Indomptables of Cameroon. Cameroon will aim for their first continental crown, while Malawi will contest their inaugural final.