In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, Morocco secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Madagascar in a pre-World Cup friendly match, with Ismael Saibari emerging as the star of the show by scoring two goals. The match took place at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, where Morocco showcased their readiness for the upcoming tournament, even in the absence of star player Achraf Hakimi, who was still riding the high of Paris Saint-Germain's recent Champions League success.
The Moroccan offense wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as Saibari opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, expertly heading home a cross from Bilal El Khannouss. The PSV Eindhoven forward, whose name has been linked with a potential transfer to Bayern Munich, doubled his tally in the 24th minute, although he later squandered a good opportunity to complete his hat-trick before the halftime whistle.
As the second half unfolded, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi made strategic substitutions, bringing on seasoned players Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi. Their introduction proved pivotal, as they collaborated effectively, leading to Morocco's third goal in the 78th minute. Ounahi was fouled by Thomas Fontaine in the box, resulting in a penalty that Rahimi confidently converted. The situation escalated for Madagascar as El Hadary Raheriniaina received a red card for foul and abusive language, further compounding their troubles.
Morocco's offensive strategy paid off, reflected in their impressive expected goals (xG) tally of 3.76. They capped off their commanding performance with a fourth goal late in the game, courtesy of Ayoub El Kaabi. This victory is particularly significant for Morocco, as they aim to build on their historic achievement of reaching the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup, the best performance by an African team in the tournament's history.
Following their contentious triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations, the Moroccan squad heads to North America with high expectations. Their upcoming match against Brazil will serve as a true test of their capabilities. The team's performance against Madagascar demonstrated their potential, with 20 shots taken and nine on target, indicating a potent attacking force. Notably, Hakimi's absence was felt, given his impressive record at the 2022 World Cup, where he made more tackles than any other player and won numerous ground duels. However, the team's ability to perform at such a high level without him will certainly please their new coach, Ouahbi. Additionally, Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz also entered the match as a late substitute, ensuring that he remains fresh for Morocco's final warm-up fixture against Norway on Sunday.
As reported by beinsports.com.
