Odegaard Secures Late Equaliser for Norway Against Morocco
In a thrilling encounter in New Jersey, Martin Odegaard’s late goal ensured that Norway salvaged a 1-1 draw against Morocco during their final warm-up match ahead of the FIFA World Cup. This result also denied Morocco their fourth consecutive victory, marking a pivotal moment for both teams as they prepare for the tournament.
Match Overview
Both coaches fielded competitive line-ups, highlighting the stakes of the match. Morocco’s captain, Achraf Hakimi, and Odegaard, who captains Norway, squared off just a week after their clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, clashed in the UEFA Champions League final.
First Half Highlights
Erling Haaland, Norway’s all-time leading goalscorer, earned his 50th cap in this match but had a subdued first half as Morocco started strongly. The opening goal came from Brahim Diaz of Morocco, who netted in the eighth minute. Receiving a pass from Abde Ezzalzouli, Diaz sent a low shot past goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, marking his 14th international goal.
Norwegian Response
Norway quickly rallied, with Kristoffer Ajer narrowly missing the equaliser shortly after, flicking a header just past the post. Alexander Sorloth also had a goal disallowed due to a foul on Noussair Mazraoui. The Moroccan defender was forced off with an injury shortly after, raising concerns for coach Mohamed Ouahbi as they prepare for their first World Cup match against Brazil.
Morocco’s Continued Pressure
Despite losing Mazraoui, Morocco maintained their threat, with Ezzalzouli missing a great opportunity just before the break. Yassine Bounou, the Moroccan goalkeeper, made a stunning save to keep them ahead, denying an effort from Antonio Nusa.
Second Half Dynamics
The second half saw Morocco start less aggressively, but they nearly doubled their lead when Nyland saved another attempt from Diaz, only for Neil El Aynoui’s follow-up header to go awry. Following a series of substitutions, Norway’s Oscar Bobb set up Odegaard for his equaliser with just 15 minutes to go. This marked Odegaard’s fifth international goal.
Final Outcomes
The match concluded in a stalemate, a disappointing result for Norway, who have now failed to win in four of their last 16 matches (with three draws and one loss). They will face Iraq in their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998 on June 16. Meanwhile, Morocco continues to remain unbeaten under Ouahbi, with three wins and two draws leading into their clash with Brazil.
Flashscore Man of the Match
Sander Berge was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match for his impressive performance throughout the game.
