The Atlas Lions of Morocco served a treat to the home fans with a stellar display against Cameroon, courtesy of goals from either half.
David Pagou's side turned up the ante, across spells in the second period, but it wasn't enough to drag them to the semi-finals.
Brahim Diaz, who is a huge contender for the Player of the Tournament, continued his electric showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a crucial goal, four minutes before the half-hour mark.
Following a corner sent into the centre of the area, Ayoub El Kaabi got in contact with the ball, glancingly directing it towards the far post, before Diaz used his thigh to guide it into goal for his fifth of the competition.
Just like he finished as the top-scorer at the qualifiers for the continental showpiece, the Real Madrid man is eyeing the goal-scoring crown at the 2025 AFCON.
Walid Regragui's contingent showed a real desire to advance into the last 4, with their pace and offensive play receiving much plaudit.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon struggled to keep up with the intensity in the first period, often caught napping at critical phases of play.
The second half displayed the tactical might of the semi-finalist of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Walid Regragui handing his team an oscillating approach.
Cameroon huffed and puffed after the hour mark; dictating play and becoming more enterprising, but they couldn't breach the resilient defence of Morocco.
They also put forward protests for a penalty after Adam Masina put his leg in the way of Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo.
Sixteen minutes before the expiration of the normal time in the encounter, Ismael Saibari sealed the win for the Atlas Lions.
Saibari exquisitely controlled a ball delivered into his path, before lashing the ball with much venom into the bottom corner, successfully putting the nail on the Cameroonians’ exit from the 2025 AFCON.
The Atlas Lions are one step away from a place in the final and a hunt for their second AFCON crown remains in full sway.
Additionally, a semi-final date with Nigeria or North African counterpart Algeria will take place on January 14, 2026.
