The first surprise of the knockout stages of this CAN 2019 will undoubtedly remain the qualification of Benin this Friday, July 5 in Cairo at the expense of Moroccans who have yet given everything in this game. The score at the end of the 120 minutes of play is 1 to 1. The Squirrels have released men Hervé Renard on penalties 4-2.
Morocco, finishing first in its group, with three wins without conceding a goal, met Benin who qualified with just three draws. A match that was to be a formality for the Atlas Lions yet dominating in the first period but failed to fail the bloc Benin, well grouped, which proceeded against attack.
In the second half, in the 53rd minute, the Ecureuils surprised the Moroccans on a corner taken from the flat foot by Moise Adhilehou (1 – 0).
Moroccans are pushing and maintaining pressure to return to the score. It was in the 75th minute that defender Jordan Adeoti lost a precious ball recovered by Mbark Boussoufa who serves Youssef En-Nesyri for the equalizer (1 – 1).
Morocco could have won the match with a penalty at the last minute of extra time but Hakim Ziyech found Saturnin Allagbe’s post.
The score will not change during the 30 minutes of overtime. To everyone’s surprise, Morocco is out on penalties by this modest Beninese formation 4 to 2.
The Squirrels make the quarter-finals and meet the Senegalese Lions, Uganda’s 1-0 winners with the third goal of the Sadio Mané competition on Mbaye Niang’s 15 th minute service.
