Algeria needed penalties to beat Morocco in the FIFA Arab Cup ©Getty Images

Algeria squeezed past Morocco on penalties to secure their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup.

In a battle of North African nations, Yacine Brahimi opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, only for Mohammed Nahiri to equalise two minutes later. 

Algeria then took the lead again in extra-time, before Badr Benoun scored Morocco's second in the 111th minute to send the match to penalties.

In the dreaded penalties, it was Algeria who held their nerve, Mohamed Tougai scoring the crucial goal after Rais Mblohi saved Karim El Berkaoui's penalty, the only miss of the shootout.

Algeria will face Qatar in the semi-finals.

Egpyt won in extra-time against Jordan ©Getty Images
Egpyt won in extra-time against Jordan ©Getty Images

In the other semi-final, Egypt will face Tunisia after they scored twice in extra time to defeat Jordan.

Without usual star player Mohamed Salah, who remains occupied with club football at Liverpool, Ahmed Refaat and Marwan Daoud scored in the 100th and 119th minute to secure the 3-1 victory.

Earlier, Yazan Alnaimat had opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Jordan, before Marwan Hamdy equalised moments before half-time.

The semi-finals are due to take place on Wednesday (December 15).