Morocco’s Last-Gasp Victory Sparks a Spain-Style Streak Tie, in a 1-0 Friendly Win
9 October 2025
Match overview
Morocco defeated Bahrain 1-0 in a friendly on Thursday, in Rabat, thanks to a stoppage-time header from defender Jawad El Yamiq. The Atlas Lions thus equal Spain’s world record for consecutive wins at the international level, reaching 15 straight victories.
More than 55,000 fans filled the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, creating an electric atmosphere as the hosts controlled much of the game and pressed from the opening whistle.
Lineups and key moments
Coach Walid Regragui faced several important absences, with Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui sidelined in defense, and Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Onahi in midfield. To compensate, Youssef Belamri stepped in to cover in goal, while Jawad El Yamiq moved into defense as needed.
Five players who helped Morocco win bronze at the Paris Olympics featured, including Bilal Khannous and Abdessamad Zeljouli, who earned official debuts for the senior side. The match saw early Moroccan pressure, with attempts from Ashraf Hakimi and others testing Bahrain’s resolve, before the game settled into a tense tempo as the second line attempted to create chances.
Despite the early dominance, the opening 45 minutes ended goalless as Bahrain stubbornly defended and Morocco began to rotate through the squad, relying on a high-press approach and quick transitions.
Controlled possession
The second half showed sustained Moroccan control, with a reported 79 percent possession as substitutes entered the fray to maintain momentum. Bahrain sat deep, weathering repeated waves of attack as Morocco sought a breakthrough from set pieces and close-range chances.
Late in the game, Morocco finally found the decisive moment. A stoppage-time corner was converted by El Yamiq with a powerful header, sparking jubilant scenes at the stadium and producing a historic milestone for the team.
Return to form and looming questions
The result comes after a period of rotation and strategic experimentation by Regragui, who balanced injury absences with the need to maintain momentum ahead of more demanding fixtures. Morocco’s performance suggested depth and a hunger to sustain a historic run, even with key players unavailable.
As the final whistle blew, the atmosphere was one of relief and celebration, with the match ending in a way that reinforced the team’s identity and resilience against a compact Bahrain defense.
Post-match take
El Yamiq’s late winner capped a night of positives for a squad continuing to explore its options while chasing a record that has become a talking point across the football world.
Two punchlines to close: If Morocco’s winning streak were a movie, the credits would roll at minute 93 with an encore teased for the next episode. And if Spain’s calendar could talk, it would apologize for stealing the spotlight—Morocco just borrowed the time zone for a dramatic finish.
