Morocco overpower Haaland's Norway but fail to convert chances

Excellent start – sloppy finish. That would be an ideal description of the last pre-World Cup friendly game between Morocco and Norway. The Altas Lions played and excellent first half and missed a bunch of excellent chances only to completely stop in the second half and allow pale Norway to equalize and even miss a good chance for a complete turnover. In the end, it was 1-1, but it’s Norway’s coach who needs to be worried. Haaland, Odegaard, Sorlot and Ryerson all started but didn’t show up at the game at all.

Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi, has opted to field Ayyoub Bouaddi in midfield, alongside Neil El Ayanoui and Azzedine Ounahi. Ismael Saibari played as a false nine, within an attacking trio also composed of Brahim Diaz and Abde Ezzalzouli. This tactic proved to be an excellent one as Morocco looked dangerous, quick and created a lot of chances. If they start converting them into goals at the World Cup, their opponents will have a hard time stopping them. But the second half showed weaknesses in the team, mainly when the main players left the field. Ouahbi also had to sub both Mazraoui and Ezzalzoui due to injuries but their condition is not known yet.

Morocco started offensively and aggressively from the start and it paid off after only seven minutes. In the fifth minute, Ezzalzouli received the ball in an ideal position in the box, but the Real Betis winger hesitated too long before finishing. The Betis winger had another shot but Brahim Diaz raised his hands as he was totally alone. Just a minute later, Ezzalzouli was on the attack but this time he passed the ball to Real’s midfielder and he took a precise shot while Norway defense was just standing – 1:0. Sorloth used his power in the Moroccan box and equalizes with a heavy shot in the 17th minute, but the referee rightly disallowed the goal for a foul on Mazraoui. After receiving a magnificent cross from Brahim Diaz, Abde Ezzalzouli unmarked in the box, failed to hit the target. His volley sailed over Nyland's goal which was another missed opportunity for the fantastic duo Diaz – Ezzalzouli. The latter got injured near the end of the half and had to be substituted.