Morocco 1-1 Norway: Odegaard Equalises In Final World Cup Warm-Up

Morocco and Norway shared a 1-1 draw at Sports Illustrated Stadium in their final World Cup warm-up, with Brahim Diaz scoring early and Martin Odegaard replying late. Mohamed Ouahbi’s team now prepares for a Group C opener against Brazil on June 13, while Norway’s first opponents in their return to the World Cup since 1998 will be Iraq.

The match also brought injury concerns for Morocco, as Abde Ezzalzouli went off at half-time and Noussair Mazraoui departed in the 29th minute after a knock. Norway, meanwhile, saw Erling Haaland contained, with the Manchester City striker limited to one effort and struggling to influence play throughout the contest.

Diaz opened the scoring in the eighth minute, steering a precise shot into the bottom-left corner after Ezzalzouli sprinted down the right and cut the ball inside. Morocco then pushed for a second, with Diaz later denied by Orjan Nyland, yet the missed chances proved costly when substitute Oscar Bobb set up Odegaard for Norway’s leveller 15 minutes from time.

Morocco created more clear openings overall, ending with 13 attempts and an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.14. Norway produced nine shots worth 0.8 xG. Ezzalzouli registered five of Morocco’s efforts, had four touches inside Norway’s penalty area and supplied two chances, underlining the importance of the winger’s fitness for Ouahbi before facing Brazil.

Haaland, who scored 16 times during World Cup qualifying, found little service and recorded a single shot rated at 0.06 xG. Norway may need greater involvement from Julian Ryerson to unlock Haaland more often, as the Borussia Dortmund full-back again impressed going forward, leading the team in creativity and ball involvement from the flank.

While Morocco and Norway drew, Croatia completed World Cup preparations with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia at Stadion Andelko Herjavec. Luka Modric guided Croatia ahead in the 51st minute with a controlled finish from the edge of the box, before Andraz Sporar struck an 83rd-minute equaliser that briefly threatened to spoil Croatia’s send-off.

Mario Pasalic decided that game in stoppage time, driving a powerful shot in off the crossbar to restore Croatia’s lead. The result closed Croatia’s schedule before travelling to North America, where England await on June 17, giving Zlatko Dalic’s side a winning platform heading into another major tournament test.

This draw marked only the second meeting between Morocco and Norway, following their 2-2 clash in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup. Morocco’s players could feel they had done enough for victory, based on chance quality and volume, yet the late equaliser and injury worries mean Ouahbi’s focus now sits on readiness rather than result ahead of Brazil and Norway’s date with Iraq.