MENA Sports Wrap: Morocco, Jordan to face off in Arab Cup final, with heartbreak for Syria and Palestine

Morocco and Jordan have qualified for the Arab Cup final after seeing off the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Monday's semi-finals.

Earlier in the tournament, Syria and Palestine saw their campaigns come to an end despite impressive group stage performances with praise coming in for both teams from people across the Arab world after years of hardship.

Morocco and Jordan set up Arab Cup final

Morocco and Jordan will face each off on Thursday in the FIFA Arab Cup final after beating the UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively, in Monday's semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions took on the UAE at Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, securing a comfortable 3 0 victory to book their place in Thursday’s final.

Karim El Berkaoui scored the opener in the 28th minute, heading home a cross from Hamza El Moussaoui to give Morocco an early lead.

Morocco had another opportunity to extend their advantage before the break, but Amin Zahzouh's effort was denied by UAE goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqebaali.

The UAE struggled to break through the Moroccan defence, with most of their chances coming from corner kicks and long-range efforts.

Morocco doubled their lead in the 83rd minute when Achraf El Mahdioui struck following a swift counterattack.

Fan favourite Abderrazak Hamdallah sealed the result in stoppage time, converting Mohamed Boulacsout’s cross to make it 3 0.

Later at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor, Jordan and Saudi Arabia battled for a place in the final.

The first-half produced few clear chances. Saudi Arabia’s Nawaf Boushal came close, while a penalty appeal by the Green Falcons was denied following a VAR review.

Jordan broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Nizar Al-Rashdan headed home, a goal that proved decisive.

Saudi Arabia pushed for an equaliser, but Jordan’s defence held firm. Tensions rose late in the match when Saudi defender Waleed Al-Ahmed was sent off after a foul on Ali Olwan.

The match drew the highest attendance of the tournament so far, with 62,825 fans in the stands, including Jordan Crown Prince Hussein and his brother Prince Hashem.

Morocco and Jordan will meet on Thursday in Lusail, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE will contest the third-place playoff in Al-Rayyan.

Heartbreak for Syria and Palestine after strong group stage runs

Syria and Palestine exited the competition at the quarter-final stage last week but earned widespread praise after upsetting higher-ranked teams in the group stage, including wins and draws against Tunisia and Qatar.

The two sides faced each other in the final group match on 7 December, drawing 0-0 and finishing level at the top of Group A with five points each.

Syria met Group B winners Morocco in the first quarter-final at Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan.

Morocco created several early chances through Amin Zahzouh and Karim El Berkaoui, while Syria came close when Mahmoud Al-Aswad tested goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid.

The first half ended goalless. Morocco nearly took the lead shortly after the break from a 52nd-minute corner, but Syria’s defence intervened before goalkeeper Elias Hadayar gathered the ball.

The breakthrough came in the 79th minute when Walid Azaro scored from a rebound, sending Morocco into the semi-finals.

Palestine, meanwhile, faced Saudi Arabia in their quarter-final after the Green Falcons finished second in Group B.

The opening half ended without goals, though Saudi Arabia came close when Salem Al-Dawsari’s effort was stopped by Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh. A second Saudi chance was cleared off the line by defender Hamed Hamdan.

Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 58th minute through a Feras Al-Buraikan penalty after Al-Dawsari was fouled.

Palestine responded six minutes later when star forward Oday Dabbagh equalised, sparking celebrations among Palestinian players and supporters.

Both sides created further chances, and another Saudi penalty appeal was waved away, as the match remained tied at 1-1 at full-time and went to extra time.

Mohammad Kanno’s header in the 115th minute proved decisive, sending Saudi Arabia through and ending Palestine's spirited run in the tournament.