Odegaard scores in stalemate between Norway and Morocco in international warm-up match

Morocco's forward Soufiane Rahimi and Norway's defender Kristoffer Ajer clashed for the ball during an international friendly match between Morocco and Norway at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on June 7, 2026.

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Norway managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Morocco, thanks to Martin Odegaard's second-half equalizer, which canceled out Brahim Diaz's early goal for the African side.

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Odegaard's goal came in the 75th minute, when he delivered a powerful finish from Oscar Bobb's low cross, tying the match at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

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Morocco had previously made history by becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals four years ago, ultimately losing to France in a tense match.

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The Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, is aiming for another successful run at the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in the Group C matches, starting with Brazil next Saturday.

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Against Norway, who have also qualified for the World Cup, Morocco demonstrated their potential for a deep run in the tournament, with Diaz scoring the opening goal after just eight minutes.

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Diaz's goal was the result of a superb run down the left flank by Abde Ezzalzouli, who provided a cross that Diaz calmly gathered and finished with a low shot.

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Norway, with Manchester City's Erling Haaland in attack, struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half, with their best chance being a glancing header from Alexander Sorloth that drifted wide.

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Morocco continued to create better chances, including Ezzalzouli's volley in the 38th minute, which went just over the bar after a pass from Diaz.

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Norway's best chance of the half came just before halftime, when Antonio Nusa's shot from the left was saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

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In the 57th minute, Diaz nearly scored his second goal, but his shot was parried by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, and Neil Al-Aynaoui's header on the rebound flew over the bar.

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Instead, it was Norway who managed to equalize, with Odegaard scoring from Bobb's cross 15 minutes from time, making the final score 1-1.

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Norway will begin their World Cup campaign against Iraq on June 16, followed by matches against Senegal and France in Group I.