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Rabat – Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Norway in their final friendly match before the start of the 2026 World Cup, in a game that gave head coach Mohamed Ouahbi both positive signs and fresh concerns.
The Atlas Lions made a strong start at Sports Illustrated Stadium, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence during the opening minutes.
Their early pressure quickly paid off in the 8th minute, when Brahim Diaz opened the scoring after good attacking work from Abde Ezzalzouli.
Ezzalzouli was heavily involved from the start, causing problems on the left wing with his pace and direct movement. His assist for Diaz’s opener underlined Morocco’s bright attacking rhythm, as the team looked sharp and dangerous in the final third.
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Norway, however, gradually grew into the match. With Erling Haaland leading the line and Martin Ødegaard controlling parts of the midfield, the Norwegian side began to enjoy more possession. It forced Morocco to defend deeper as the game progressed.
Morocco’s biggest concern came before the second half, when Ezzalzouli was unable to continue after picking up a knock. The Real Betis winger was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi at halftime, raising concern among Moroccan supporters just days before the World Cup opener.
The full extent of his injury has not yet been confirmed, and Morocco will now wait for further medical updates.
Despite the setback, Morocco continued to compete well after the break. Ouahbi made several changes to manage the squad and give minutes to different players, but Norway kept pushing for an equalizer.
The pressure finally told in the 76th minute, when Martin Ødegaard scored to make it 1-1 after an assist from Oscar Bobb. The goal rewarded Norway’s improved second-half display and forced Morocco to settle for a draw.
The result leaves Morocco with mixed feelings. The team showed quality in the first half, especially through Diaz and Ezzalzouli, but the injury situation will be a major talking point ahead of the World Cup.
Morocco will now turn their attention to their opening World Cup match against Brazil on June 13, a major test for the Atlas Lions as they begin their campaign against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.
