Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over Malawi, thanks to a stunning free-kick from Achraf Hakimi.
After Youssef En-Nesyri cancelled out Gabadinho Mhango’s magnificent early effort, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back scored 20 minutes from time at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Malawi was making their first appearance in the AFCON knockout stages after finishing third in Group B.
Mhango caught Yassine Bounou off his line with a fantastic 40-yard lob in the seventh minute, giving the Flames a surprise lead.
Morocco had only lost one of their previous 11 games when playing a new opponent in the competition.
Vahid Halilhodzic’s side equalised in first-half stoppage time as En-Nesyri headed home from Selim Amallah’s deep cross.
The contest looked possibly set for extra time until Hakimi emphatically beat Charles Thomu from 30 yards to send his nation through to the last eight, where they will face Ivory Coast or Egypt.
