Morocco booked a simple victory in the World Cup qualifying series on Saturday evening. Just like last Wednesday, Guinea Bissau was also the opponent, who was defeated 0-3. Ayoub El Kaabi and Aymen Barkok took care of the Moroccan goal production. Thanks to the victory, the team of national coach Vahid Halilhodzic is almost certain of group victory. The winner of Group I advances to the final round, in which a diptych with another group winner is fought for a World Cup ticket.
After the big win in the previous mutual game (5-0) Morocco was of course the favorite this time as well. Already in the tenth minute of play, El Kaabi gave substance to that favorite role. After a free kick from the right, Ryan Mmaee head extended the ball to the Hatayspor striker, who was able to nod in from close range: 0-1. The second goal was not long in coming and came ten minutes later.
NEC’er Souffian El Karouani makes his debut for Morocco! ???? pic.twitter.com/mPgIGBFEgy
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Oct 9, 2021
This time the ball was worked into the box from the left side. At the height of the penalty spot, El Kaabi won the header and put the ball on the edge of the sixteen for Aymen Barkok. The latter had a viewed, diagonal slider in the house and beat goalkeeper Jonas Mendes in the bottom left corner: 0-2. In the end it took up to twenty minutes before the final blow was dealt. Marcelo Djalo had a terrible pass back to Mendes, which allowed El Kaabi to intercept. He rounded the closing post and simply made it 0-3.
Former Eredivisionist Sofyan Amrabat had a basic place, while AZ attacker Zakaria Aboukhlal remained on the bench. NEC defender Souffian El Karouani started from the bench, but was allowed to make his official debut in the second half. Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui were left out of the selection by national coach Halilhodzic. Morocco is the leader with nine points from three matches. The Atlas Lions only have to collect one point from the remaining three group matches to stay ahead of number two Guinea Bissau.
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