Morocco Power Past Tanzania 2-0 to Keep World Cup Dream on Track
Doha – The Atlas Lions maintained their perfect qualifying campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday evening at Oujda's Stade d'Honneur, extending their impressive run to nine consecutive wins.
After a goalless first half where Morocco dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, the breakthrough finally came in the 51st minute when defender Nayef Aguerd capitalized on a rebound following El Yamiq's header from an Ezzalzouli corner.
The hosts doubled their advantage eight minutes later through Brahim Diaz, who converted from the penalty spot after Mazraoui was fouled in the box. The Real Madrid midfielder's successful conversion put Morocco firmly in control of the match.
Playing without suspended star Achraf Hakimi, Morocco fielded a strong lineup with Bounou in goal, protected by a defense of Mazraoui, El Yamiq, Aguerd, and Belammari. The midfield trio of Saibari, Amrabat, and El Khanouss controlled the tempo, while Diaz, En-Nesyri, and Ezzalzouli led the attack.
Despite holding over 80% possession in the first half, Morocco initially struggled to break down Tanzania's defensive organization. The visitors, led by coach Hemed Suleiman, showed resilience and even created a dangerous opportunity in the 42nd minute when Salum's volley narrowly missed Bounou's post.
The match saw several substitutions in the latter stages, with Morocco introducing Rahimi, Ben Seghir, and Ounahi to maintain their attacking momentum. Tanzania remained competitive but couldn't find a way back into the match after falling behind.
This victory strengthens Morocco's position at the top of Group E in the World Cup qualifiers, where they have now won all five of their matches. The result puts them in a strong position to secure qualification for what would be their seventh World Cup appearance.
The Atlas Lions will conclude this international window with a perfect record, having previously defeated Niger 2-1 in their previous qualifier. Their defensive solidity continues to impress, with the team having conceded just twice in their last five matches while scoring 22 goals. Tags: 2026 world cup qualifersMorocco vs Tanzania
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Edges Benin 1-0 in Friendly Game
Rabat – Morocco played Benin this evening at the Fez Grand Stadium in a highly anticipated friendly game. The match drew a full house in Fez, with large numbers of local fans supporting the national team in a key test of tactical depth and squad rotation. Morocco claimed a hard-fought win against a resilient Benin side that struggled to contain the Atlas Lions' attacking efforts. In the first half, Morocco dominated possession and maintained pressure deep in Benin's half, patiently searching for an opening. Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break level, Ayoub El Kaabi delivered a moment of brilliance in the 47th minute, into stoppage time. Latching onto a well-placed cross, he executed a spectacular scissor kick past the goalkeeper, sending the crowd in Fez into celebration. The goal was a deserved reward for Morocco's control throughout the half and gave the team a boost heading into the second period. Morocco kept pressing for a second goal after the break, but a series of missed chances and solid defending from Benin kept the score unchanged, and the match ended with a deserved 1-0 win for the home side. The international friendly is part of the teams' preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Morocco secured a 2-0 win in Friday's friendly against Tunisia, but the team's overall performance left much to be desired. These two friendly matches present Morocco a valuable window to fine-tune its tactical approach, experiment with squad depth, and strengthen team chemistry ahead of high-stakes continental competitions. With strong fan support and a clear vision for the months ahead, the Atlas Lions remain focused on building consistency and momentum. Tags: Atlas LionsMorocco Benin gameMorocco footballMorocco friendly match
Morocco World
15 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco vs Benin: Possible Lineup, Score Prediction
Morocco return to action tonight against Benin in their second outing of the international break, looking to bounce back after an unconvincing performance against Tunisia. The match, although officially a friendly, carries weight. With the 2026 World Cup draw looming, head coach Walid Regragui is under pressure to refine his squad and pick up results that could boost the team's FIFA ranking. Kick-off is at 9 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on Arryadia HD. The Tunisia win may have ended 2–0, but let's not kid ourselves, it wasn't convincing. The first half was flat, and a few big names didn't turn up. Youssef En-Nesyri looked lost, Sofyan Amrabat couldn't dictate the tempo, and Bilal El Khannouss seemed out of sync. Ismael Saibari, stuck out wide, was a tactical misfire. Changes are expected. Ayoub El Kaabi is pushing for a start after strong goals-scoring form with Olympiacos in the Greek league. At the same time, Soufiane Rahimi caught the eye with a lively cameo and could feature as a second supporting striker. Targhalline is also in contention to start as a holding midfielder ahead of Amrabat, with Regragui keen to find the perfect formula in the middle of the park. Tactically, Morocco may switch to a more compact shape. A midfield trio of Targhalline, Ounahi and El Khannouss could offer more stability, with the latter playing closer to the final third. In defense, Adam Masina impressed on his return and is likely to keep his place next to Jawad Al Yamiq. Achraf Hakimi remains vital down the right, and Youssef Belammari is tipped to start on the left. The Botola Pro and Confederation Cup Champion Munir Mohamedi could replace Yassine Bounou. Possible lineup: Munir – Hakimi, El Yamiq, Masina, Belammari – Targhalline, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Rahimi, Ben Seghir, El Kaabi Predicted score: Benin are expected to sit deep and absorb pressure from a technically superior Moroccan frontline. If the Atlas Lions manage to score early, confidence will surge, and the floodgates could very well open to bang more goals. MWN say: Morocco 3-0 Benin Tags: Achraf HakimiBeninfriendlyMoroccoWalid Regragui
Morocco World
18 hours ago
- Morocco World
Real Madrid Signs Franco Mastantuono in Record-Breaking Deal
Real Madrid has secured one of the most sought-after young talents in world football with the signing of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. At just 17 years old, the Argentine midfielder, who recently made his senior debut for the national team, is set to join the Spanish giants on a contract running until June 2031. The transfer was confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, and has set a new record in Argentine football, with the total fee reaching $65 million. River Plate will receive $48 million, the full release clause, in a single payment, with additional taxes and fees raising the final cost for Madrid. River Plate had hoped to keep Mastantuono until the end of the season, but the player's desire to move to Europe, combined with a personal call from new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, ultimately sealed the deal. Mastantuono will officially join Madrid in August, shortly after turning 18 on August 14. He will start with a lower-tier salary at Madrid, with performance-based increases and a signing bonus included in his contract. His arrival strengthens Madrid's focus on nurturing young talent, adding him to a growing pool of emerging stars that already includes Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Federico Valverde, Endrick, and Arda Guler. Mastantuono's journey to football stardom hasn't been straightforward. Growing up, he was a promising tennis player, and his family even pushed him to pursue a career with a racket rather than a football. In fact, when he was just 9, his first trial with River Plate was turned down. But Mastantuono's heart was always in football, and by 2019, he signed with River Plate, leaving tennis behind for good. At River Plate, it didn't take long for his talent to shine. By the time he was 14, he was called up to Argentina's U17 team, and by 2024, he was already playing for the U20 squad under coach Javier Mascherano. His performances with the youth teams were so impressive that he was quickly promoted to the first team. In January 2024, Mastantuono made his official senior debut for River Plate, becoming the club's third-youngest debutant at just 16. A few weeks later, he made history by becoming River Plate's youngest-ever goal scorer in a competitive match against CA Excursionistas, breaking a record previously held by the likes of Javier Saviola. Mastantuono is a versatile player who can play in several positions. Whether it's as a right-winger, central midfielder, or second striker, he has the ability to make an impact. His vision, dribbling skills, and football IQ are all far beyond his years, and he's already showing the composure and maturity of a much older player. Even as a teenager, Mastantuono is already showing leadership qualities, demanding the ball and taking responsibility in high-pressure situations. His performances have caught the eye of top European clubs, but Real Madrid acted swiftly to snatch the budding attacker. Tags: Franco MastantuonoReal Madrid
