DR ‹ › Morocco's national football team battled to a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in a friendly match on Friday night at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. In his first match as head coach of the Atlas Lions, Mohamed Ouahbi set up a central defense with Issa Diop and Chadi Riad, flanked by Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui. The midfield featured Rabii Hrimat as the defensive anchor alongside Neil El Aynaoui. For the attack, Ouahbi chose a dynamic lineup with Saibari, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli, and Brahim Diaz leading the charge. The Ecuadorians seized the first real opportunity in the 11th minute from a set piece. Exploiting turnovers near the penalty area, they created another chance through Moisés Caicedo, whose shot narrowly missed Yassine Bounou's goal. From the 20th minute, Ouahbi's squad increased their offensive efforts, particularly through Brahim Diaz, aiming to break down the opposing defense. Both teams engaged in a fierce midfield and wing battle, yet neither goalkeeper faced significant threats. In the 34th minute, Ounahi's shot sailed over Hernán Galíndez's goal. Ecuador quickly countered with Alan Minda, but his attempt lacked precision. Early in the second half, Ecuador took the lead with a goal from John Yeboah in the 48th minute. Under mounting pressure, the Atlas Lions earned a penalty, which El Aynaoui missed. Hrimat followed up successfully, but the goal was disallowed due to his premature entry into the area before the shot. Substitutions by Ouahbi, including the introductions of Samir El Mourabet, Soufiane Rahimi, and Anass Salah-Eddine, injected new energy into the Moroccan side. This renewed vigor paid off in the 88th minute when El Aynaoui equalized with a header from a perfectly delivered corner by Hakimi.
