Rachid Alioui strike sends Morocco through as holders Ivory Coast crash out
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Updated 24/01/2017 at 23:17 GMT
Stade d'Oyem, Africa Cup of Nations, Group C - Morocco 1 (Alioui 64') Ivory Coast 0
Morocco's midfielder Rachid Alioui (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Morocco and Ivory Coast in Oyem on January 24, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Rachid Alioui scored a brilliant goal to send Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations in a 1-0 win for Morocco.
Ivory Coast began the game knowing that they had to win to stay in the competition, while Morocco looked to contain them in the first half.
It was Morocco who went close to opening the scoring first, when Fajr whipped a free kick against the crossbar. Ivory Coast took longer to get going, with Wilfried Zaha and Salomon Kalou both wasting good chances towards the end of the half.
In the second half, Alioui settled the tie with an exceptional chipped goal over Gbohouo which left Ivory Coast ruing their lack of vim, and they failed to pull themselves out of their slumber.
Morocco were happy to hold on to their lead and sit back, knowing it would send them through.
Ivory Coast couldn't raise their game, and duly found themselves knocked out of the tournament after another disappointing performance.
TALKING POINT
Morocco may face an injury crisis: Rachid Alioui left the game with minutes to go despite being a substitute, and Aziz Bouhaddouz went off with a problem in the first half. Bouhaddouz has been a busy presence in the group stages, and Alioui showed an exceptional eye for goal. They urgently need one or both of them to recover for the knockout stage.
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Highlights: Marocco end Ivory Coast's hopes
MAN OF THE MATCH
Rachid Alioui (Morocco): Alioui did almost nothing right when he came on as a sub. He offered little constructive link-up play, and didn't chase down his opponents relentlessly. But what he did do was offer the sole moment of exceptional quality in the game, and it was enough to send his side through.
PLAYER RATINGS
Morocco: El Kajoui 6, Mendyl 6, Da Costa 6, Benatia 6, Saiss 6, Dirar 6, El Ahmadi 6, Fajr 6, Boussoufa 6, En-Nesyri 7, Bouhaddouz 6. Subs: Alioui 7, Obaddi 6, Boutaib 6.
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Morocco's forward Aziz Bouhaddouz (L) challenges Ivory Coast's defender Eric Bailly during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Morocco and Ivory Coast in Oyem on January 24, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo 6, Kanon 6, Aurier 5, Deli 6, Bailly 6, Doukoure5 , Kessie 5, Die 6, Kalou 6, Zaha 6, Wifried 6. Subs: Seri 6, Kodjia 6, Gradel 6.
KEY EVENTS
25' - FAJR FREE KICK - Free kick for Morocco, to the left side of the box, about 25 yards out. Fajr whips the ball over the wall, the 'keeper beaten, and it crashes against the bar.
37' - ZAHA CHANCE - Zaha is released on the inside left. He's in the box, facing down the 'keeper, and he attempts to curl it into the far corner. It's too close to the 'keeper, though, and while he can't keep hold of it he pushes it away well enough.
43' - KALOU HITS THE POST - Aurier sends in a cross, Bony flicks it on cleverly, and Kalou chases in at the back post, sending an effort in from close range against the post.
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Ivory Coast's defender Serge Aurier kicks the ball during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Morocco and Ivory Coast in Oyem on January 24, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
58' - RECKLESS BAILLY FOUL - Mendyl sprints down the left wing, Bailly comes across and cleans him out. Bailly is booked, and that's more than fair.
64' - GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast. Alioui scores - What a goal. Aloui has done nothing since he came on, but that's all changed. He looks up from distance, weighs up his options, sees how far the 'keeper is out of goal, and he bends a looping shot over him to score.
81' - MENDYL CHANCE - Kalou wins a corner off Benatia on the left wing. It's wasted, and Mendyl takes the ball on the overlap on the left as Morocco break. He gets into the box, takes a touch, and slams the ball into the side-netting.
KEY STAT
This is the first tournament in eight times that Ivory Coast have not qualified for the knockouts.
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