Wydad Casablanca booked their place in the final of the 2021/2022 Champions League on Saturday, despite being held to a goalless stalemate by CR Belouizdad in Casablanca in the return leg of their quarterfinals tie.
The Moroccans progressed 1-0 on aggregate, thanks to Guy Mbenza’s goal in Algiers in the first leg.
Ellafi Muiad had a great opportunity to grab the lead for Walid Regragui’s charges in the 18th minute after being picked out at the back post with a cross, but he directed his header wide.
Khayreddine Merzoughi had the first chance for Belouizdad in the 29th minute with a header inside the box, but he failed to direct his effort on target following a corner.
In the 36th minute, Achraf Dari had a good opportunity to break the deadlock for the hosts following a great square pass from Yahya El Idrissi. Unfortunately, he could not connect well with the pass at close range.
The pace of the game slowed down five minutes before halftime and as a result the two sides went into the break goalless.
Belouizdad increased their tempo early in the second stanza as Lalbi Tabti nearly broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half with a strike inside the box that sailed slightly wide of the upright.
Wydad were struggling to get out of their own half towards the hour-mark as the visitors were applying the pressure, but Belouizdad continued to push and went agonisingly close to getting the opener after 67 minutes when Hamza Asrir’s header crashed against the upright.
It was one-way traffic in the second half, as Belouizdad were desperate for a win to book a historical qualification to the semifinals.
Hicham Khaillafah almost snatched the winner for the Algerians two minutes before time after going through inside the box, but Belouizdad second choice goalkeeper produced a great save to ensure the spoils were shared.
