Morocco put on a dominant display in their final international friendly before the summer tournaments, crushing Burundi 5-0 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on May 26, 2026. The Atlas Lions, fresh from their historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run, showed no mercy against a Burundi side that struggled to contain the hosts' pace, movement, and clinical finishing. The emphatic victory underlined Morocco's status as African football's rising powerhouse and provided head coach Walid Regragui with plenty of positives ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, Morocco dictated the tempo with quick passing triangles and high pressing. Burundi, ranked 140th in the FIFA World Rankings, opted for a deep defensive block, but it was breached inside the opening 15 minutes. A sweeping move from left to right ended with a low cross that was turned home by Hakim Ziyech, marking the start of a one-sided contest. The gulf in class became evident as Morocco doubled their lead through a powerful header from Noussair Mazraoui following a well-delivered corner.

Key Moments

• 12th minute – Ziyech opens the scoring: A brilliant through-ball from Azzedine Ounahi split the Burundi defence, and Ziyech, cutting in from the right, slotted past the goalkeeper with composure.
• 28th minute – Mazraoui doubles the lead: A pinpoint corner from Ziyech found the head of Mazraoui, who powered the ball into the net from six yards out.
• 42nd minute – En-Nesyri makes it three: A defensive error allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to pounce, turning sharply and firing low into the far corner.
• 58th minute – El Khannouss adds the fourth: Substitute Bilal El Khannouss danced past two defenders before curling a beautiful strike into the top corner.
• 78th minute – Abde completes the rout: A swift counter-attack saw Abde Ezzalzouli race clear and finish neatly to round off the scoring.

Tactical Story

Morocco deployed their signature 4-3-3, with Sofyan Amrabat shielding the backline and Ounahi pulling the strings in midfield. The full-backs, Achraf Hakimi and Mazraoui, provided constant width and overlapping runs that stretched Burundi's narrow defensive shape. Burundi, playing a 5-4-1, hoped to stay compact and hit on the counter, but their midfield was overrun by Morocco's relentless pressure. The first goal came from a breakdown in Burundi's offside trap, and thereafter they struggled to regain any defensive organisation.

Burundi's lone striker, Abedi Bigirimana, was isolated and forced to chase lost causes. Their best chance came in the 55th minute when Saidi Ntibazonkiza fired wide from a rare breakaway. Morocco's goalkeeper, Bono, had a quiet evening, but his distribution helped start several dangerous attacks.

Standout Players

• Hakim Ziyech (Morocco): The Chelsea playmaker was immaculate, providing two assists and scoring the opener. His vision and set-piece delivery were key to unlocking the stubborn defence.
• Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco): The midfielder controlled the tempo, completing over 90% of his passes and driving forward with purpose. His assist for Ziyech's goal was a moment of pure class.
• Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco): The 22-year-old came off the bench and made a lasting impression with a stunning solo goal, further strengthening his case for a starting role in World Cup qualifying.

Season and Tournament Impact

This friendly was Morocco's final warm-up before the 2026 World Cup, where they are drawn in a tough group alongside Portugal, South Korea, and New Zealand. The 5-0 victory will boost morale and sharpen the squad's attacking sharpness. For Burundi, the heavy defeat exposes defensive frailties that they will need to address in upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Despite the result, the experience of facing a top-10 side like Morocco is invaluable for their development.

With the Atlas Lions now heading into the World Cup on a high, fans will be optimistic that the team can at least match their historic 2022 run. For Burundi, it's back to the drawing board, but they can take solace in small moments of resilience, particularly in the first 20 minutes before the floodgates opened.