Morocco’s final World Cup test ends with Norway draw and major injury concerns

Africa Today at 17:25

Khaled Hegazy

News Editor

Sunday's final World Cup warm up in New Jersey saw the Atlas Lions draw 1-1 with Norway but early physical setbacks overshadowed the tactical test.

A blistering start rewarded

Mohamed Ouahbi’s men looked remarkably sharp in the opening exchanges.

The high pressing system anchored by Ayyoub Bouaddi instantly rattled the Scandinavian defense. Just 8 minute in, Abde Ezzalzouli carved open the left flank delivering a precise ball to Brahim Diaz.

The Real Madrid maestro displayed pure class settling the pass before drilling a low strike past Ørjan Nyland. Achraf Hakimi & Azzedine Ounahi dictated the tempo controlling the pitch and suffocating the opposition.

The defensive wall holds firm

Defensively the North Africans managed to completely neutralize one of Europe’s most lethal strike partnerships. Erling Haaland & Alexander Sørloth were largely isolated throughout the first 45 minute.

Center backs Issa Diop & Chadi Riad dominated the airspace while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou remained flawlessly alert during brief moments of danger.

Medical alarms sound on the flanks

However the positive tactical momentum quickly disintegrated into a medical nightmare. Before the 30 minute mark, Noussair Mazraoui was forced off the pitch prompting the immediate introduction of Youssef Belammari.

The situation deteriorated further right before the halftime whistle. Ezzalzouli, the architect of the opening goal, suffered a painful collision and could not emerge for the second half, leaving Soufiane Rahimi to take his place.

Odegaard rescues the Scandinavians

Exploiting the sudden structural adjustments in the Moroccan camp, Ståle Solbakken’s squad finally found their rhythm after the interval.

Late in second half, highly rated winger Oscar Bobb torched the right wing cutting the ball back into the danger zone. Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard timed his run to perfection slotting the equalizer past Bounou.

Despite late heroics from Nyland to deny another Diaz rocket and a trailing header from Neil El Aynaoui, the match ended deadlocked.

A bizarre 1998 symmetrical blueprint

This 1-1 exhibition draw eerily mirrors the legendary 1998 World Cup in France where the Atlas Lions also battled Norway in a tense clash (a 2-2 draw) right alongside a star studded Brazil squad.

Unbelievably Morocco’s upcoming 2026 Group C campaign features both Brazil and Scotland, the exact same heavyweights they faced in that historic 1998 group stage. Almost three decades ago, a lack of defensive depth severely cost the North Africans against the South American giants resulting in a 3-0 defeat.

If the medical staff cannot miraculously recover Mazraoui and Ezzalzouli in time for the 13 June opener in New York, history threatens to brutally repeat itself against the 5 time world champions.

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