Match Report: Morocco 1 - 1 Ecuador

Event: International Friendly

Date: Friday, March 27, 2026

Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain

Attendance: Approx. 31,000

Final Score

Team 1st Half 2nd Half Total

Morocco 0 1 1

Ecuador 0 1 1

Match Summary

In a high-intensity encounter at the Metropolitano, the "Atlas Lions" of Morocco salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against a disciplined Ecuador side. Both teams entered the match with impressive unbeaten streaks, and the tactical battle lived up to the hype, characterized by South American defensive organization versus North African creative flair.

First Half

The opening 45 minutes were closely contested with both sides creating half-chances. Ecuador's defense, led by Piero Hincapié, remained impeccable, frustrating Morocco's front line. Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi and Brahim Díaz had moments of brilliance, but neither could find the breakthrough before the whistle.

Second Half

The game exploded into life immediately after the restart:

• 48' - Goal (Ecuador): John Yeboah broke the deadlock with a clinical left-footed strike into the bottom corner following a clever one-two with Gonzalo Plata.

• 61' - Penalty Drama: Morocco was awarded a penalty after Neil El Aynaoui was fouled in the box. El Aynaoui took the spot-kick himself, but his effort was saved by Hernán Galíndez. Though Rabii Hrimat scored the rebound, the goal was overturned by VAR for offside.

• 88' - Goal (Morocco): With time running out, Neil El Aynaoui found redemption. Following an Achraf Hakimi corner, El Aynaoui rose highest to power a header into the bottom right corner, securing the equalizer.

Key Statistics

• Possession: Morocco 52% - 48% Ecuador

• Shots (on Target): Morocco 11 (4) - 9 (3) Ecuador

• Unbeaten Streaks: Morocco extends their run to 25 matches; Ecuador reaches 16 matches without defeat.

Lineups

Morocco (4-3-3):

Bounou; Hakimi, Riad, Diop (YC 80'), Mazraoui (Salah-Eddine 81'); El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Saibari (Rahimi 69'); Brahim Díaz (Yassine 88'), El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli (Talbi 80').

Ecuador (4-2-3-1):

Galíndez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán; Caicedo, Franco; Plata (Alcivar 92'), Vite (Arevalo 92'), Yeboah (Paez 75'); Valencia (Rodriguez 75').

Looking Ahead

• Morocco will face Paraguay on Tuesday, March 31, at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens.

• Ecuador travels to face the Netherlands on Tuesday, March 31.