Five Years On, Morocco Remembers a Hidden Hero Who Sparked the Arab Cup

Opening spark in Lusail

Osama Tanan, the 31-year-old Moroccan squad player, received an official nod from Ligue 1 for his significant contribution to the Atlas Lions Arab Cup victory, especially his historic goal against Jordan at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

After the match, the official Ligue 1 account on X wrote: Congratulations to Morocco on winning the Arab Cup, thanks to the goal by former Saint-Etienne forward Tanan.

Early strike and late drama

Tanan opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a spectacular long-range effort from midfield that beat Jordan’s brave goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Leila. Jordan leveled through a powerful header by Ali Alwan in the 48th minute, and Alwan then converted a penalty to give Jordan a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.

Morocco refused to surrender, equalizing in the 87th through veteran striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, and the same player struck again in the 100th minute to seal the comeback and push the match into extra time.

Punchline 1: That opening goal was so perfectly aimed it could win a medal in precision—call it a sniper’s dream from midfield.

Punchline 2: If extra time had a sniper of the week award, Tanan would need a bigger shelf for trophies.