Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in Tangier on Sunday, a result that saw the Lions of the Atlas drop to sixth in the FIFA rankings, behind Brazil in fifth.
The friendly was the final match of the international break for both sides and came 10 months after their previous meeting at CAN 2025 in Rabat, when the teams also drew 1-1.
Mohamed Ouahbi made five changes to Morocco’s starting XI following the 2-0 defeat by Lesotho. Ali Maamar, Nayef Aguerd, returning from injury, Anass Salah-Eddine, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Ez Abde came in for Zakaria El Ouahdi, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, the injured Noussair Mazraoui, Oussama Targhalline and Brahim Diaz.
Mali began with Mamadou Samassa in goal, while Ousmane Camara moved to right-back in the absence of substitute Hamari Traore. Check Keita started in central defence. Amadou Haidara and Lassana Coulibaly replaced Aliou Dieng and Kamory Doumbia in midfield, while Mamadou Doumbia was selected ahead of Lassine Sinayoko up front.
Both teams created an opening in the first three minutes. Mali responded to a Moroccan move with a powerful effort that Yassine Bounou pushed away to his right.
Morocco gradually took control. Bouaddi carried the ball through the Mali midfield before releasing Ismael Saibari on the right, but the winger was denied by Samassa in the 20th minute. Three minutes later, Ez Abde narrowly missed Azzedine Ounahi’s cross, before seeing another effort blocked by Adama Camara at the penalty spot in the 28th minute.
Mali remained dangerous, with Ange Martial Tia going close after beating Aguerd with a nutmeg. His run towards goal was halted by a timely challenge from Bouaddi in the 31st minute.
Morocco went ahead seven minutes later when Abde converted from the penalty spot after winning the spot-kick himself. Mali almost levelled before half-time, but Mamadou Doumbia could not reach a cross at the far post.
The hosts pushed for a second. Abde headed over in the 42nd minute, Ounahi sent his effort wide in the 45th, and Bilal El Khannouss forced Samassa to turn a low shot behind in the 62nd minute.
Brahim Diaz and Soufiane Rahimi replaced Abde and Saibari in the 65th minute. Mali also made a series of changes, bringing on Ousmane Diakite and Gaoussou Diarra in the 65th minute, followed by Emile Doucoure, Amadou Dante, Aliou Dieng and K. Doumbia in the 73rd. Haidara went off injured, with Dorgeles Nene, Samassa, Daouda Guindo, Mamadou Sangare and Lassana Coulibaly also withdrawn.
The changes gave Mali renewed momentum. Bounou tipped a fierce effort over his crossbar in the 72nd minute, then Mali equalised five minutes later when Dante converted beneath the bar from G. Diarra’s right-wing free-kick.
Morocco introduced El Ouahdi and Gessime Yassine in the 80th minute and Tawfik Bentayeb in added time, but could not find a winner. Mali’s draw was effectively treated as a victory, while Morocco paid an immediate price in the FIFA rankings.