Morocco W vs Cape Verde W

Cape Verde held firm for the opening 20 minutes, but Jraidi's opener in the 21st minute forced the debutants to open up. Mssoudy's second goal just before half-time (37') was the decisive blow — it meant Cape Verde faced a two-goal deficit and a Moroccan side that had grown increasingly confident. The quick-fire double after the hour mark (61', 64') turned the contest into a rout.

Sanaa Mssoudy — Player of the Match. The ASFAR forward scored a second-half hat-trick (61', 64', plus the first-half opener at 37'), taking her tally to three goals in the space of 43 minutes. Her movement between the lines unsettled Cape Verde's backline throughout.

Ibtissam Jraidi — Opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a well-taken finish, setting the tone for Morocco's dominant display.

Yasmine Mrabet — Added a late fifth goal in the 84th minute, capping a comprehensive team performance.

The provider data shows a 5-0 full-time scoreline with a 2-0 half-time lead, reflecting a match that was controlled from start to finish rather than a late breakaway. Morocco scored three goals in a 23-minute second-half blitz (61', 64', 84'), suggesting fitness and depth told as Cape Verde tired. The two teams had met only once before — a 3-0 Morocco win — meaning the Atlas Lionesses have now scored eight unanswered goals across both encounters.

This was Morocco's final warm-up fixture before hosting the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which kicked off on 26 July. The Atlas Lionesses entered the tournament among the favourites, with this display confirming their sharpness in front of goal.

For Cape Verde, making their WAFCON debut, the scoreline was a sobering reality check. They face Ghana in their Group D opener, followed by matches against Mali and Cameroon. The Blue Sharks have a quick turnaround to regroup before the tournament proper.

Morocco looked ready. The ruthlessness of Mssoudy's hat-trick and the overall control of the game suggest Vilda's side will be a difficult opponent for any team at WAFCON 2026. Cape Verde, to their credit, face a steeper learning curve — but this match highlighted the gap they must close.