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Lens Victory: Morocco Edge Paraguay 2-1 in France Friendly

31 March 2026

Lens Victory: Morocco Edge Paraguay 2-1 in France Friendly
Morocco celebrate a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in Lens, France.

Match recap

Morocco closed the international window with a 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay in Lens, France on Tuesday night.

Blas Khennous opened the scoring in the 49th minute, finishing a right-side cross delivered by Ashraf Hakimi. Nayl Al-Aynaoui doubled the lead in the 54th, converting a low cross from Hakimi inside the area.

Paraguay pulled one back in the 85th, exploiting a moment of Moroccan defensive confusion from a set piece, but the effort was ruled offside after a VAR check. Gustavo Capallero headed in the rebound in the 88th to set the final score at 2-1 in favor of Morocco.

Morocco had drawn 1-1 with Ecuador last Friday and now shifts focus to World Cup preparations, with the tournament scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

Morocco are grouped with Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in the World Cup schedule, a test of a side carrying memories of their historic Qatar 2022 run. The squad resumes training to build on that momentum.

Punchline 1: If victory tasted sweeter than mint tea, then today Morocco forgot the sugar. Punchline 2: Hakimi’s crosses are so precise, even the VAR watchmen want a slow‑mo replay.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score and where was the match played?

Morocco won 2-1 against Paraguay in a friendly played at Lens, France.

Who scored for Morocco?

Blas Khennous opened the scoring in the 49th minute, followed by Nayl Al-Aynaoui in the 54th.

What happened with Paraguay's late goal?

Paraguay scored in the 85th, but it was ruled offside after a VAR review; Gustavo Capallero headed in the rebound in the 88th to make it 2-1.

What does this result mean for Morocco ahead of the World Cup?

It keeps the team in good form and momentum as they prepare for the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with expectations rising after their Qatar 2022 run.