{"id":1421612,"date":"2025-12-30T20:17:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T20:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1421612"},"modified":"2025-12-31T09:22:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T09:22:27","slug":"tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Morocco are the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That doesn\u2019t come as a surprise. On home turf and with one of the best squads in the competition, the Atlas Lions should feel confident about landing AFCON success for just the second time in their history. There is immense quality within the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-diaz-s-flying-start-to-afcon\" data-level=\"3\">Diaz&#8217;s flying start to AFCON<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-highlighting-winger-s-importance-for-morocco\" data-level=\"3\">Highlighting winger&#8217;s importance for Morocco<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-afcon-showings-to-give-alonso-food-for-thought\" data-level=\"3\">AFCON showings to give Alonso food for thought?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Achraf Hakimi, Bilal El Khannouss and Noussair Mazraoui, to name three, are all European experienced players for the tournament hosts. However, it\u2019s a Real Madrid star that is proving Morocco\u2019s driving force for AFCON glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brahim Diaz opted to switch allegiance from Spain to Morocco in 2023. The Malaga-born wideman had represented La Roja from U17 to the senior level. Diaz, though, was permitted to swap from the European giants to the North African powerhouse in March 2023. Last year, the 26-year-old made his debut for Walid Regragui\u2019s side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-diaz-s-flying-start-to-afcon\">Diaz&#8217;s flying start to AFCON<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the months since, the Real Madrid winger hasn\u2019t looked back. In 18 Morocco appearances, Diaz has scored 11 goals. Spain\u2019s loss is very much the Atlas Lions\u2019 gain. Three of those 11 goals have come at AFCON. No player has scored more at the tournament as Morocco beat Comoros and Zambia, with a draw with Mali sandwiched in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diaz, remarkably, had come in for criticism for a series of poor performances in the lead up to AFCON 2025. The forward has certainly silenced his doubters, in the process equalling a 49-year Morocco record. Having scored in three successive competition outings, Diaz matched the achievement set by Ahmed Faras, the nation\u2019s all-time leading scorer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s a stark contrast to his time in Madrid, where minutes have been hard to come by. Diaz has started just three league matches under Xabi Alonso this season, and just once since the October international break. A lack of game time hasn\u2019t impacted his AFCON showings, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-highlighting-winger-s-importance-for-morocco\">Highlighting winger&#8217;s importance for Morocco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Featuring off the right, teammates will look to Diaz to provide the attacking impetus. Indeed, a bulk of Morocco\u2019s attacks have come from the right (40%), the seventh highest such proportion at AFCON. 154 touches ranks fifth for the Atlas Lions, further signifying his importance to the way Morocco attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Diaz isn\u2019t the main creative force for Morocco, he\u2019ll often be the man to finish moves. 11 shots is more than any other player for the AFCON hosts. 1.95 Expected Goals is the third most at the competition. In addition, opponents have pinpointed Diaz as Morocco\u2019s dangerman with the winger fouled nine times. Only Azzedine Ounahi (12) has been done so more for Regragui\u2019s team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unsurprisingly, Diaz is now one of the favourites for the MVP award at AFCON 2025. Triumph for Morocco in front of their fans would certainly justify calls for the winger to land the gong, particularly if Diaz, as expected, fires his nation to glory. \u201cMy boy on fire,\u201d Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham posted on Instagram recently. The England international knows ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-afcon-showings-to-give-alonso-food-for-thought\">AFCON showings to give Alonso food for thought?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Importantly still is that Diaz\u2019s performances at the Africa Cup of Nations has given Alonso a timely reminder of his quality. Diaz is completing 2.2 take ons per 90 at AFCON, though admittedly that\u2019s a drop of the 2.6 in La Liga this season. Context, though, is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vcsw-sports-widgets shortcode vcsw-cmatrix vcsw-cmatrix--compared\" id=\"cmatrix-1\"><script type=\"application\/json\">{\"sports_type\":\"football\",\"widget_type\":\"comparison-matrix\",\"compare\":\"QtFrZ0PMRU12Dg_ZYJO_-\",\"show_sponsor\":\"false\",\"analytics\":true,\"can_generate_shortcode\":false}<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diaz has been used primarily from the bench in the 2025-26 La Liga campaign. Nine of his 12 league appearances have been as a sub. For a Real Madrid side that dominates, Diaz\u2019s introduction routinely comes late on against tiring defences. It means he has more of a chance of beating a man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, this goes some way to explaining why 1.3 chances per 90 at AFCON is lower than in La Liga (2.9). And for a Morocco side that comes up against deep-lying defences, he\u2019ll often look to go down the outside of markers and put the ball in the box, which isn\u2019t often the case for Los Blancos. It\u2019s for that reason why crosses per 90 are higher at AFCON (2.6) than in La Liga (1.5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morocco are very much powered by their talisman this winter. Diaz has undertaken the role of the Atlas Lions\u2019 star performer with ease. Take his flying group stage form into the knockouts and Morocco can be expected to win their first AFCON since 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/cole-palmer-analysis-chelsea-new-contract-importance\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/10165328\/ColePalmer10102026_ID3FDFT7A-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/cole-palmer-analysis-chelsea-new-contract-importance\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Why Cole Palmer is ready to take the next step after new Chelsea deal                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-utd-vs-tottenham-10-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/10192945\/DominicSolanke10102026_ID3FR8WDARobertoDeZerbi10102026_ID3FR7YEE-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-utd-vs-tottenham-10-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man Utd vs Tottenham match stats analysis: No winners as late Solanke strike cancels out Mbeumo                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-leeds-10-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/10141846\/BrunoGuimaraes10102026_ID3FR58TTDanielFarke10102026_ID3FR4NYE-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Arsenal vs Leeds analysis: Gunners fight hard to secure comeback win over fine-tuned Whites\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-leeds-10-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Arsenal vs Leeds match stats and analysis: Gunners fight hard to secure comeback win over fine-tuned Whites                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/liverpool-vs-man-city-comparison-matrix-combined-xi\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/09152658\/VirgilvanDijk09102026_ID3FET42BErlingHaaland09102026_ID3FJN398-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/liverpool-vs-man-city-comparison-matrix-combined-xi\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Liverpool vs Man City: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for Premier League clash                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-expectation-index-premier-league-2026-27\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/09163941\/squawka-expectation-index-premier-league-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Squawka&#039;s Expectation Index for the 2026\/27 Premier League\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-expectation-index-premier-league-2026-27\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Squawka&#8217;s Expectation Index: Which teams have overperformed and underperformed in the 2026\/27 Premier League?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-chelsea-players-return-injury\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/08091913\/MoisesCaicedo150826_ID3F9KRC2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-chelsea-players-return-injury\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How each of Chelsea&#8217;s four players returning from injury impact the side                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-tactical-analysis-continuity-strength-mikel-arteta\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/08145737\/MikelArteta_250426_ID3FPDY9X-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-tactical-analysis-continuity-strength-mikel-arteta\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Why Arsenal&#8217;s continuity is their biggest strength                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-man-utd-tottenham-roberto-de-zerbi-michael-carrick\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/09083924\/MichaelCarrick09102026_ID3FJGY2ARobertoDeZerbi09102026_ID3FJEJJT-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-man-utd-tottenham-roberto-de-zerbi-michael-carrick\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man Utd vs Tottenham &#8211; Why De Zerbi needs &#8216;El Sackico&#8217; win more                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-clubs-ranked-post-international-break-records\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/10\/08170910\/predictions_article-16x9-7-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-clubs-ranked-post-international-break-records\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Premier League clubs ranked: Post-international break records                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-half-time-0-0-trend-gameweek-6\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/09\/27182858\/ZionSuzukiAstonVilla270926_ID3FGGMY2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-half-time-0-0-trend-gameweek-6\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Nil-nil at the break: The half-time 0-0 trend to follow in Premier League Gameweek 6                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/kobbie-mainoo-analysis-becoming-carrick-key-man\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/07160306\/3FGTXTP-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/kobbie-mainoo-analysis-becoming-carrick-key-man\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How Kobbie Mainoo is becoming Michael Carrick&#8217;s most important player at Man Utd                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-26-27-stats-records-you-might-see-gameweek-6\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/07165241\/EnzoMaresca07102026_ID3FJN305XabiAlonso30092026_ID3FJ5FXKBukayoSaka07102026_ID3FGG4CF-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/premier-league-26-27-stats-records-you-might-see-gameweek-6\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Premier League stats and records you might see in Gameweek 6                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-international-stats\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/07120324\/2EWFEN5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-international-stats\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Cristiano Ronaldo&#8217;s international career for Portugal by numbers                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-under-mikel-arteta-stats\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/07142324\/MikelArteta07102026_ID3EHFYFT-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-under-mikel-arteta-stats\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Just how good have Arsenal been under Mikel Arteta                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/crewe-alexandre-unbeaten-league-two-start\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/06172714\/LeeBell06102026_ID3FCAJ43-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/crewe-alexandre-unbeaten-league-two-start\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How Crewe Alexandra are in League Two&#8217;s top three despite winning three of nine games                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-alex-scott-england-solution\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/06125129\/AlexScott031026_ID3FNH420-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-alex-scott-england-solution\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Why Alex Scott could be Thomas Tuchel&#8217;s answer to control for England                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Morocco are the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations. That doesn\u2019t come as a surprise. On home turf and with one of the best squads in the competition, the Atlas Lions should feel confident about landing AFCON success for just the second time in their history. There is immense quality within the squad&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1421613,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1421612","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1706\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\"},\"headline\":\"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-30T20:17:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":774,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/30200829\\\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"accessibilityFeature\":[\"tableOfContents\"]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/\",\"name\":\"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream | Squawka | EN\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/30200829\\\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-30T20:17:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/30200829\\\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/media.squawka.com\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/30200829\\\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1706,\"caption\":\"3DD984W Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\\\/Themba Hadebe)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Squawka\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Features\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/features\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Squawka | EN\",\"description\":\"Football News, Stats, and More...\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\",\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ben McAleer\"},\"description\":\"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/benmcaleer1\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.squawka.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/benmcaleer\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream | Squawka | EN","description":"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream","og_description":"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/","og_site_name":"Squawka | EN","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/","article_modified_time":"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1706,"url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@squawka","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/"},"author":{"name":"Ben McAleer","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4"},"headline":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream","datePublished":"2025-12-30T20:17:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/"},"wordCount":774,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg","inLanguage":"en-GB","accessibilityFeature":["tableOfContents"]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/","name":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream | Squawka | EN","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-30T20:17:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-31T09:22:27+00:00","description":"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/30200829\/BrahimDiazAFCON30122025_3DD984W-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1706,"caption":"3DD984W Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-brahim-diaz-morocco-afcon-2025\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Squawka","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Features","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Brahim Diaz analysis: The Real Madrid outcast powering Morocco\u2019s AFCON dream"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/","name":"Squawka | EN","description":"Football News, Stats, and More...","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4","name":"Ben McAleer","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ben McAleer"},"description":"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.","sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/benmcaleer1"],"url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/"}]}},"yoast_title":"","yoast_description":"Brahim Diaz has become Morocco\u2019s talisman at AFCON 2025. This analysis breaks down his goals, role and influence on the hosts\u2019 title bid.","yoast_keyword":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1421612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/features"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1421612\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1421613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1421612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1421612"},{"taxonomy":"features-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features-category?post=1421612"},{"taxonomy":"squawka-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/squawka-category?post=1421612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}