Morocco 4-0 Madagascar: Saibari nets brace to seal a huge win

Morocco warmed up for the World Cup with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Madagascar, with Ismael Saibari netting twice.

Match Report 

Achraf Hakimi, just three days on from Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League success, was not involved at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, but Morocco made light work of the visitors.

Saibari got the ball rolling within four minutes, as the forward headed home from Bilal El Khannouss's delivery.

The PSV man doubled up in the 24th minute, before missing a decent chance for a hat-trick before half-time.

Mohamed Ouahbi turned to some of Morocco's regulars in the second half, with Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi coming on, and that pair combined for the hosts' third goal in the 78th minute.

Thomas Fontaine fouled Ounahi, and Rahimi converted the resulting penalty, while Madagascar's El Hadary Raheriniaina was sent off for foul and abusive language.

Morocco amassed 3.76 expected goals (xG), and their dominance was rewarded with a fourth goal when Ayoub El Kaabi netted late on.

Morocco march towards the World Cup

Morocco achieved the best finish by an African team when they reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022.

And on the back of their contentious Africa Cup of Nations triumph, Morocco head to North America with some big expectations on their shoulders.

Their first fixture sees them take on the mighty Brazil, and this performance was worthy of a team that will be aiming to go on a deep run, as they unleashed 20 shots and got nine on target.

Hakimi made more tackles (26) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup, as well as recording the second-most ground duels won (41), and for Morocco to be so dominant without their star player will no doubt delight new boss Ouahbi.

Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz only came on as a late sub, too, so he will also be fresh for Morocco's final World Cup warm-up match, against Norway on Sunday.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

4' GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Madagascar

20' Highlight from Morocco vs Madagascar

25' GOAL! Morocco 2-0 Madagascar

71' Highlight from Morocco vs Madagascar

78' Penalty Goal! Morocco 3-0 Madagascar

88' GOAL! Morocco 4-0 Madagascar

Line-ups

Morocco XI: Munir, Amrabat, Diop, Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli, Redouane Halhal, Bilal El Khannouss, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Ayyoub Bouaddi

Subs: Marwane Saadane, A. Tagnaouti, Brahim, A. El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi, Azzedine Ounahi, Youssef Belammari, Chadi Riad, El Mehdi Al Harrar, Amine Sbaï, Ali Maamar, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine

Madagascar XI: Thomas Fontaine, Geordan Dupire, Clément Couturier, Rayan Raveloson, Hakim Abdallah, Johan N'zi, Bryan Adinany, Ryan Ponti, Sandro Trémoulet, Ehsan Kari, Mathieu Acapandié

Subs: Morgan Jean-Pierre, Loïc Lapoussin, Arnaud Randrianantenaina, Ylan El Hadary, Radoniaina Rabemanantsoa, Andy Rakotondrajoa, michel ramandimbisoa, mamisoa rakotoson, Bono Rabearivelo, Behaja Tsirava