Newly crowned African champions Morocco national football team were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Ecuador national football team in an international friendly on Friday night, as they began life after the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations decision.
Played at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, the match marked the first outing under new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who took charge following the departure of Walid Regragui.
The game also unfolded under the shadow of the ongoing dispute involving Senegal national football team and the Confederation of African Football, after Morocco were awarded the AFCON title following Senegal’s walk-off during the final.
Morocco Struggles
On the pitch, however, Morocco struggled to impose themselves early on against a well-drilled Ecuadorian side. The South Americans, led by Moisés Caicedo and Willian Pacho, looked compact and dangerous, shading a cautious first half.
Ecuador came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break when Alan Minda fired narrowly wide, while Morocco’s attacking duo of Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after halftime. In the 48th minute, John Yeboah finished clinically from inside the box to give Ecuador a deserved lead.
Morocco responded by increasing the tempo, with Hakimi testing the defense from set pieces and Díaz coming close with a strike into the side netting. The Atlas Lions thought they had equalised from the penalty spot after Neil El Aynaoui was brought down in the area. However, his initial effort was saved, and the rebound goal by Mohamed Hrimat was ruled out following a VAR review for encroachment.
Despite the setback, Morocco continued to push forward. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 88th minute when El Aynaoui rose highest to head home from a corner, salvaging a late equaliser and ensuring Ouahbi avoided defeat in his first game in charge.
Ecuador antics
The result extends Morocco’s unbeaten run to 25 matches albeit under controversial circumstances following their AFCON triumph. Still, the performance raised questions about sharpness and cohesion as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For Ecuador, the result reinforces their growing status as a competitive force, having finished strongly in South American qualifying.
Morocco will next face Paraguay, while Ecuador take on the Netherlands as both teams continue their World Cup preparations. However, the spotlight remains firmly on the AFCON controversy, with Senegal reportedly pursuing legal action and even planning to parade the disputed trophy.
