![FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, centre, hands the FIFA Arab Cup trophy to Morocco's Mohamed Hrimat, right, on the podium [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]](https://naija247news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-18T193827Z_1061599502_UP1ELCI1IK2ES_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ARABCUPJOR-MAR-1766087024-696x464.jpeg "2025-12-18T193827Z_1061599502_UP1ELCI1IK2ES_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ARABCUPJOR-MAR-1766087024")
Doha, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) – Morocco claimed their second FIFA Arab Cup crown after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Jordan in extra time at Lusail Stadium, Doha, on Thursday, highlighted by Oussama Tannane’s sensational goal from inside his own half.
The stadium erupted in the fourth minute as Tannane, playing for Umm Salal in the Qatar league, unleashed a thunderbolt from an estimated 59 metres, catching Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila off guard. The keeper scrambled back to his line but collided with the post, resulting in a four-minute stoppage before play resumed.
![Morocco’s Marwane Saadane shoots at goal, which resulted in his side’s win [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]](https://naija247news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-18T183246Z_2027945447_UP1ELCI1FIKCZ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ARABCUPJOR-MAR-1766083292.jpeg)
Despite the early setback, Jordan quickly recovered. Three minutes into the second half, Ali Oliwan equalised with a clinical header following a well-worked corner, keeping the score level. In the 68th minute, Jordan took the lead for the first time when Oliwan converted a penalty after Mahmoud Almardi’s shot hit Achraf El Mahdioui’s raised hand in the box.
Morocco refused to surrender. Late in the 88th minute, substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah tapped in a corner scramble to level the match once more, sending it to extra time. Jordan nearly seized glory in the dying seconds of normal time when Oliwan was clean through on goal but failed to convert, missing the chance for a hat-trick.
Extra time began with controversy when Mohannad Abutaha’s spectacular left-footed volley for Jordan was ruled out by VAR due to handball. Moments later, Hamdallah scored the decisive goal for Morocco after Marwane Saadane’s bicycle kick from a set piece fell kindly into his path, sealing the 3-2 triumph.
![Morocco players and staff pose for a picture after winning the FIFA Arab Cup [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]](https://naija247news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-18T190803Z_2145034127_UP1ELCI1H5DDQ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ARABCUPJOR-MAR-1-1766085610.jpeg)
Morocco, who previously lifted the Arab Cup in 2012 by defeating Libya, now succeed Algeria, the 2021 champions. The Atlas Lions dominated the first half, with Tannane nearly doubling the lead just before halftime, only for Issam Smeir to clear off the line. Jordan’s Abulaila made crucial saves, particularly in the 17th minute, denying Karim El Berkaoui’s low drive across the face of goal.
The 2025 Arab Cup was a record-breaking event, selling over a million tickets, double the previous edition’s attendance. Morocco now shift focus to hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with a squad bolstered by European-based stars who missed the Arab Cup due to club commitments.
The Lusail Stadium crowd witnessed a football spectacle combining skill, drama, and resilience, reaffirming Morocco’s growing stature in global and African football.
Babatunde Akinsola ✔
Godwin Okafor is the Publisher & CEO of Naija247news Media Group LLC, an independent investigative news platform delivering accurate, data-driven reporting on Nigerian and global politics, economy, finance, and business. Founded in October 2010, Naija247news specializes in developmental journalism, providing timely insights and analysis to readers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
View Archive →
