Morocco ended their October international window with a 1-1 draw against Mali at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Sunday, October 4.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli gave the Atlas Lions the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute before substitute Gaoussou Diarra equalized for Mali in the 77th minute.
The result prevented Morocco from recording a third consecutive victory during the international window after 2-0 wins over Gabon and Lesotho in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Ezzalzouli puts Morocco ahead
Mohamed Ouahbi made several changes to his starting lineup for the friendly.
Yassine Bounou started in goal behind a defence featuring Ali Maamar, Issa Diop, Nayef Aguerd and Anass Salah-Eddine. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui and Azzedine Ounahi were part of the midfield, with Bilal El Khannouss, Ezzalzouli and Ismael Saibari also starting.
Mali created an early opportunity, with Bounou called into action to deny Mamadou Doumbia in the opening minutes. Morocco responded and Saibari tested Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa during the first half.
The breakthrough came after Ezzalzouli was caught inside the penalty area by Mali defender Cheick Keita. The referee awarded a penalty, and the Real Betis winger converted it in the 35th minute to put Morocco 1-0 ahead.
Morocco carried that advantage into halftime.
Diarra brings Mali level
Mali remained in the match after the break and coach Antony da Silva made several changes as the second half progressed.
Ouahbi also turned to his bench. Brahim Díaz and Soufiane Rahimi replaced Ezzalzouli and Saibari in the 65th minute as Morocco looked for a second goal.
Instead, Mali found the equalizer.
Amadou Dante delivered a free kick from the right and Gaoussou Diarra, who had entered as a substitute, met the ball at the far post to score in the 77th minute.
Diarra had only been introduced in the 65th minute, replacing Nene Dorgeles.
Morocco made further changes late in the game, with Zakaria El Ouahdi and Gessime Yassine coming on in the 80th minute. Tawfik Bentayeb was introduced during stoppage time, but the Atlas Lions could not find a winner.
Morocco finish October window unbeaten
The draw leaves Morocco unbeaten across their three matches during the international window.
The Atlas Lions opened the period with a 2-0 victory over Gabon before defeating Lesotho by the same score in their second 2027 AFCON qualifier. The Mali friendly provided a different test, with the visitors recovering from a goal down and limiting Morocco’s attack for periods of the second half.
After the match, Ouahbi said facing Mali had exposed areas his team still needs to improve. He also said the coaching staff had deliberately wanted a difficult opponent to close the international window rather than an easier friendly.
Morocco and Mali had also drawn 1-1 in their previous meeting during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.
Final score: Morocco 1-1 Mali
Goals: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli 35′ (pen.); Gaoussou Diarra 77′
Competition: International friendly
Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger
Date: October 4, 2026
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