Several Moroccan internationals made their mark this weekend in Europe and Latin America, starting in the Dutch Eredivisie, where two Atlas Lions stood out.
Ayoub Oufkir, who recently received his first call-up to Morocco’s national team, helped AZ Alkmaar beat FC Groningen 4-3 on matchday 12 of the Eredivisie. The Moroccan winger scored directly from a penalty, taking his tally to three league goals and six across all competitions in 18 appearances.
Another young Moroccan made his mark in the Netherlands. Ajax’s Rayane Bounida scored his first goal of the season against Twente, just six minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Bounida doubled his team’s lead with a low shot that found the back of the net.
In France, Sofiane Diop and Nice continued their strong run with a win over Angers last Sunday on matchday 10 of Ligue 1.
Playing behind the striker, the Moroccan attacking midfielder opened the scoring in the second minute, finishing at the far post after receiving a pass from his teammate Mohamed Amoura.
Diop now has three goals and as many assists in 10 appearances for Nice across all competitions since the start of the season.
Across the Atlantic, another Atlas Lion helped his team secure a win in Mexico. Oussama Idrissi scored the second goal in Pachuca’s emphatic 4-1 victory over CF Atlas on Saturday night into Sunday, on matchday 16 of the Liga MX Apertura, the first half of the season.
After a neat one-two with a teammate, the Moroccan beat the opposing goalkeeper in the 11th minute. He now has three goals and as many assists in 16 league appearances.
Mazraoui makes his mark again
After seeing limited playing time at Manchester United in recent weeks, Noussair Mazraoui seized his opportunity against Aston Villa on Sunday. Named in the starting lineup, the Atlas Lion provided an assist for Youri Tielemans, who scored Manchester United’s second goal in the 44th minute.
The match ended in a 4-4 draw, with Mazraoui and the Red Devils having to wait until stoppage time to come back and secure a point in a game full of twists and turns.
Another Moroccan provided an assist this weekend. Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal set up Rennes’ only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Lille on Sunday, on matchday 11 of Ligue 1.
Yassir Zabiri does it again
The Moroccan, who has been in fine form with Racing de Santander, scored his ninth league goal last Saturday at La Rosaleda in Malaga, in a 2-1 win.
Zabiri pounced on a rebound after the opposing goalkeeper parried a shot from one of his teammates. Well positioned, the Moroccan striker collected the loose ball before slotting it into the net with his left foot, securing all three points for his team.
With this goal, Zabiri remains among the leading scorers in La Liga, sitting fourth with nine goals in 12 matches. He trails Lamine Yamal, who has 10 goals in 12 appearances, Kylian Mbappe with 13 and Raphinha, who leads the standings with 15.
