Rabat was rocking. That’s the only way to describe the atmosphere as Morocco dismantled Senegal 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier that felt less like a contest and more like a coronation. Walid Regragui’s Lions of the Atlas didn't just win; they made a statement, asserting their dominance over a team many considered their closest rivals for regional supremacy. For Aliou Cissé and his Teranga Lions, it was a brutal reality check, exposed in ways few expected.
The game was effectively over by halftime. Morocco raced to a 3-0 lead, a flurry of goals that left Senegal shell-shocked. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, bombing forward from right-back to finish a slick passing move. Youssef En-Nesyri, always a handful in the box, doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark with a powerful header from a Hakim Ziyech corner. And then, the killer blow: Azzedine Ounahi, who ran the midfield all night, curled in a beauty from 20 yards in the 41st minute. Three shots on target, three goals. Clinical doesn't even begin to cover it.
Regragui's Tactical Masterclass
Look, Regragui got this one absolutely spot on. He opted for a slightly more aggressive 4-3-3 than usual, pushing his wing-backs high and trusting his midfield trio of Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, and Bilal El Khannouss to control the center. Amrabat, as always, was a wrecking ball, breaking up play and launching attacks. But it was Ounahi who truly shone, dictating the tempo, finding pockets of space, and linking defense to attack with effortless grace. He finished with a goal and an assist, a complete performance.
The key was Morocco’s pressing. They didn't let Senegal breathe. Every time the Teranga Lions tried to play out from the back, they were swarmed. Kalidou Koulibaly, usually so composed, looked flustered, forced into hurried clearances. Sadio Mané, Senegal's talisman, was effectively neutralized, double-teamed whenever he touched the ball on the left wing. He managed just one shot on target all game, a tame effort easily saved by Yassine Bounou.
Cissé, on the other hand, seemed to misjudge the occasion. His 4-2-3-1 felt too rigid, too predictable. He started with Idrissa Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr in central midfield, a pairing that offered solidity but lacked the creative spark needed to break down Morocco’s organized defense. When you're 3-0 down at the break, you know something went terribly wrong. Bringing on Boulaye Dia at halftime for Nicolas Jackson did little to change the tide, though Dia did grab a consolation goal in the 67th minute, a penalty after Nayef Aguerd committed a clumsy foul.
Hakimi Shines, Senegal's Struggles
Achraf Hakimi was my Man of the Match, hands down. A goal, an assist for En-Nesyri's header, and relentless energy up and down the right flank. He was a constant threat, turning Youssouf Sabaly inside out more than once. His link-up play with Ziyech was telepathic, creating numerous opportunities. This wasn't just a good performance; it was a dominant one from a player operating at the peak of his powers.
For Senegal, it's hard to find positives. Edouard Mendy, in goal, couldn't be faulted for the goals, but his backline offered him little protection. Ismaila Sarr tried to make things happen on the right, but his final ball was often lacking. The biggest concern for Cissé has to be the midfield's inability to win the battle. They were outfought and outthought, constantly chasing shadows. This team, which won the AFCON just a few years ago, looked a shadow of its former self, lacking intensity and cohesion.
Thing is, this result means everything for Morocco. It puts them firmly in control of their World Cup qualifying group, sitting atop the standings with a significant goal difference advantage. They’ve now beaten their biggest rival convincingly, boosting confidence sky-high. Their next qualifier is away to Mauritania in June, a game they'll now approach with even greater swagger.
For Senegal, it's a huge blow. Not just the loss, but the manner of it. They now have to pick themselves up and face a tricky trip to DR Congo in their next fixture. The pressure will be immense on Cissé to show he can rally his troops and address the glaring defensive weaknesses exposed in Rabat. They still have quality, but they looked disjointed and utterly overwhelmed.
What Comes Next
Morocco travels to Mauritania, a team they should dispatch with relative ease if they maintain this level of performance. Confidence breeds success, and Regragui’s squad is brimming with it. They look like a team ready to make another deep run on the world stage.
Senegal, meanwhile, faces a stern test against DR Congo. That's a must-win game for them to stay in contention without relying on other results. Cissé needs to figure out how to get more out of Mané and find a way to shore up that midfield. Dropping points there could prove disastrous for their World Cup aspirations.
Bold Prediction: Morocco won't drop another point in this qualifying campaign, cruising to the World Cup with games to spare. Senegal will scrape through, but only after a nervy final day.