Sanaa Mssoudy scored after 84 minutes to give hosts Morocco a 1-0 victory over Algeria in a tense Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group match in Rabat on Thursday.
After defending superbly under constant pressure in the top-of-the-table clash between north African neighbours, Algeria were punished for leaving the Moroccan winger unmarked.
Algeria cleared a corner at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in the Moroccan capital, but when the ball was returned into the goalmouth, Mssoudy struck.
She controlled the ball with her left foot, then stabbed it past goalkeeper Chloe N'Gazi with her other foot to break the deadlock in a match that had seemed destined to end goalless.
Mssoudy, a 26-year-old from African club champions FAR Rabat, is one of several players in the team desperate to win the showpiece of African women's football.
Also hosts of the last two WAFCON tournaments, Morocco reached the final each time only to lose against South Africa in 2022 and Nigeria in 2024, when they surrendered a two-goal lead.
Before the match-winner, Morocco had far more possession, but the well-organised Algerian defence bravely blocked a number of shots to ensure N'Gazi was seldom seriously threatened.
That a single goal separated the teams was not surprising as there are only 10 places between them on the world rankings. Morocco lie 64th and Algeria 74th.
Victory over Algeria lifted Morocco to six points after two rounds in Group A. Algeria and Senegal have three points each and Kenya are pointless.
In the final series of group matches on Monday, Morocco face Senegal and Algeria meet Kenya with the floodlit matches kicking off simultaneously.
The likeliest outcome is victories for Morocco and Algeria. The host nation would then face the Group B runners-up in the quarterfinals and Algeria would meet the Group B winners.
Winners and runners-up from four groups advance to the quarterfinals of the first WAFCON featuring 16 nations – up from 12 at the last edition.
If teams finish level on points, the first tie-breaker is head-to-head records, followed by goal difference and goals scored.
The match was watched by a near-capacity crowd in the 22 000-seat stadium, including Morocco men's coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Confederation of African Football 1st vice-president Fouzi Lekjaa.
In an earlier match at another Rabat stadium, Senegal beat Kenya thanks to a Seynabou Mbengue goal on 35 minutes.