### Senegal and Morocco Triumph in AFCON Quarterfinals, Advancing to Semifinals In a thrilling quarterfinal round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Senegal and Morocco emerged victorious, securing their spots in the semifinals. Senegal defeated Mali 1-0, thanks to a first-half goal from Iliman Ndiaye, while Morocco showcased a dominant performance against Cameroon, winning 2-0 with Brahim Díaz scoring his fifth consecutive goal in the tournament. This marks a significant achievement for both teams, with Senegal reaching the semifinals for the third time in four tournaments and Morocco advancing to this stage for the first time in 22 years. ### Breakdown of the Quarterfinal Matches 1. **Senegal vs. Mali** - Senegal edged out Mali with a narrow 1-0 victory. - Iliman Ndiaye scored the decisive goal in the first half. - Mali played with ten men after a red card, which impacted their performance [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/superior-senegal-advance-to-cup-of-nations-semi-finals]. 2. **Morocco vs. Cameroon** - Morocco triumphed over Cameroon with a 2-0 scoreline. - Brahim Díaz opened the scoring, followed by a second goal from Ismael Saibari. - This victory is historic for Morocco, marking their first semifinal appearance since 2004 [https://www.firstpost.com/sports/football-news/afcon-2025-26-results-morocco-vs-cameroon-senegal-v-mali-results-13967297.html]. ### Key Performance Metrics - **Senegal's Match Stats:** - Goals: 1 (Ndiaye) - Red Cards: 1 (Mali) - Match Outcome: Senegal advances to semifinals [https://von.gov.ng/senegal-overcomes-mali-books-afcon-semis-spot]. - **Morocco's Match Stats:** - Goals: 2 (Díaz, Saibari) - Total Shots: 15 (with 7 on target) - Match Outcome: Morocco advances to semifinals [https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/10/morocco-senegal-roar-to-afcon-semis-football-now]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Path Ahead **Both Senegal and Morocco have demonstrated their prowess in the AFCON quarterfinals, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal round.** 1. **Senegal's Strength:** - With a solid defense and a key player in Ndiaye, they are poised to challenge any opponent in the semifinals [https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/10/morocco-senegal-roar-to-afcon-semis]. 2. **Morocco's Momentum:** - The Atlas Lions, buoyed by Díaz's remarkable scoring streak, are under pressure to capitalize on their home advantage and pursue their first AFCON title in 50 years [https://www.tv360nigeria.com/morocco-marches-into-afcon-2025-semi-finals-following-dominant-shutout-against-cameroon]. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on their successes and continue their quest for the prestigious AFCON trophy.