Morocco and Norway split the points in a well-paced international friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, USA. Morocco struck first through Brahim Díaz after just eight minutes, with Abdessamad Ezzalzouli supplying the assist. Norway grew into the game, controlled more of the ball, and were rewarded late when Martin Ødegaard guided home an equaliser in the 75th minute from Oscar Bobb’s cut-back. Both sides showed plenty of rotation and ideas, which fits the friendly setting, and the scoreboard settled at 1-1.

Brahim starts fast, Ødegaard levels the story

Morocco made the quicker start and capitalised. In the 8th minute, Ezzalzouli slipped a smart ball into the right channel and Díaz finished with his right foot for 1-0. The goal validated Morocco’s early intent and direct running in the final third. Norway stayed patient and used the width to push Morocco back, especially down the right.

The first half ended 1-0, with Ørjan Nyland making four stops to keep Norway in it before his 72nd‑minute substitution. Julian Ryerson was booked on 39 minutes, while Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss saw yellow late on 82 minutes. After the interval, Norway kept probing and finally got their moment. Bobb carried the ball on the left, squared for Ødegaard, and the captain swept in with his left foot for 1-1 on 75 minutes. The late push featured a flurry of crosses and fresh legs, but no winner.

Numbers from Harrison: what the stats say

Norway edged possession 54% to 46% but Morocco produced more shots, 13 to 9, and more on target, 5 to 2. Corners told a different story, with Norway racking up 11 to Morocco’s 3, reflecting their wide play and territory. Morocco created more big chances, 3 to 2, yet scored none of them, while Norway converted one of their two. Touches in the penalty area leaned Norway’s way 27 to 15, showing how often they worked the ball into close range.

Morocco were stronger in duels at 54%, and they were sharp without the ball, winning interceptions 10 to 4 and clearances 25 to 10. Passing volume favoured Norway 421 to 379 accurate passes, but Morocco were tidier with long balls at 53% to 52%. Crosses fit the eye test: Norway attempted 24 and completed 6, Morocco went 3 of 9. Shot locations were balanced, with Morocco taking 7 inside-box attempts and 6 from outside, while Norway logged 6 inside and 3 from range. On another day, Morocco’s chance quality probably yields a second goal.

Who stood out: players and Sofascore Ratings

Martin Ødegaard topped the Sofascore Rating chart with 8.1, scoring the leveller and completing 35 of 39 passes. Impact sub Oscar Bobb earned a 7.0 and the assist, adding two key passes and productive ball carries in just 18 minutes. Julian Ryerson was busy up the right with 13 crosses and four key passes, alongside a first-half booking. In goal, Nyland kept Norway alive with four saves before Egil Selvik replaced him on 72 minutes.

For Morocco, Brahim Díaz posted a 7.7 with three shots, two on target, and two key passes. Ezzalzouli had an industrious 45 minutes with an assist, five shots and two big chances missed before a halftime injury substitution. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s captain, delivered two key passes and went 2/2 in tackles for a 7.3 before leaving on 65 minutes. Neil El Aynaoui (7.2) contributed a key pass and an interception-heavy display from midfield. Bono was largely untroubled, finishing with one save and two punches for a 6.8.

Lineups, changes and the friendly rhythm

Morocco set up in a 4-2-3-1 under Mohamed Ouahbi, while Ståle Solbakken’s Norway lined up 4-3-3. Injuries shaped the hosts’ night, with Noussair Mazraoui off on 29 minutes and Ezzalzouli withdrawn at the break. Sofyan Amrabat entered at halftime to stabilise midfield, and a run of changes around the 64th and 65th minutes refreshed the back line and attack. Morocco also introduced Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Bilal El Khannouss, Marwane Saadane and others to share the minutes.

Norway’s largest rotation came on 72 minutes with a near wholesale reload. Bobb, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Patrick Berg, Fredrik André Bjørkan, Leo Østigård, Thelo Aasgaard and Selvik all came on. That flurry preceded the Ødegaard equaliser and sparked a brighter final spell. Erling Haaland had a quiet outing with four touches and one shot before making way. The final caution of the night went to El Khannouss, and the match closed with a fair 1-1 split.