Atlas Lions Roar: Dominant Morocco Sweeps UAE Aside to Book Arab Cup Final Berth

Al Rayyan, Qatar — Pre-tournament favorites Morocco delivered a commanding and tactical masterclass on Monday, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3–0 at the Khalifa International Stadium to secure their confident passage to the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 final.

The victory was a testament to the Atlas Lions' exceptional defensive organization and clinical efficiency in attack, firmly cementing their status as the team to beat in the competition. The Emiratis, who had reached the semifinal after a dramatic penalty shootout win in the previous round, simply could not withstand the relentless pressure and quality of the Moroccan side.

Match Highlights: Goals and Composure

The match began with the UAE demonstrating a solid defensive shape, successfully neutralizing Morocco's early dominance for the first quarter of the game. However, the deadlock—and the UAE's resistance—was finally broken just before the half-hour mark:

• 1-0: Karim El Berkaoui (28')
  Morocco's breakthrough came from a perfectly executed set piece. A superb cross delivered by Hamza El Moussaoui from the left flank found forward Karim El Berkaoui arriving late into the box. El Berkaoui, who plays for UAE Pro League side Al Dhafra, met the ball with a powerful, well-placed header that left the UAE goalkeeper with no chance. The goal immediately energized the Moroccan side.

Despite the lead, the second half saw a spirited push from the UAE, which tested Moroccan goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid early on. The closest the Emiratis came to an equalizer was in the 52nd minute when a header from a corner kick rattled the crossbar. Yet, Morocco's composure and rock-solid defense—anchored by players like Soufiane Bouftini—never truly faltered.

As the UAE committed more bodies forward in search of the leveling goal, Morocco capitalised with devastating effect in the final minutes:

• 2-0: Achraf El Mahdioui (84')
  Midfielder Achraf El Mahdioui doubled the lead late in the game, capitalizing on a swift counterattack. His clinical finish was a crushing blow to the UAE, extinguishing any realistic hope of a comeback.

• 3-0: Abderrazak Hamdallah (90+2')
  Veteran striker Abderrazak Hamdallah provided the final flourish deep into stoppage time. Finishing off a well-worked move from the right, the goal sealed the comprehensive 3–0 victory, underscoring the gap in class between the two teams on the day.

Defensive Solidity: Morocco’s Undoing of the UAE

Morocco's overall performance was defined by an iron-clad defense that has been nearly impenetrable throughout the tournament. The team has conceded only one goal (an own goal) on their path to the final, and their tactical discipline was key against the UAE. They absorbed the pressure when needed, relying on their backline to comfortably deal with long-range attempts and crosses, before ruthlessly punishing their opponents on the break.

For the United Arab Emirates, the defeat marks the end of a hard-fought run. Though they showed moments of quality, their inability to consistently break through the Moroccan midfield and defense proved to be their ultimate downfall.

Morocco now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, scheduled for later today. The Atlas Lions march into the final with full momentum, having sent a clear, confident message to their remaining competitor: they are here to lift the trophy.