The Moroccan U18 national team suffered a defeat against Norway (3-2) on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Marbella Football Center. Despite a solid performance and an equalizer in the second half, the Atlas Cubs conceded a goal in the dying moments of the match.
Nourredine Naybet’s players started the game well, taking the lead in the 13th minute through Noham Hamdaoua, an attacker from the French club Troyes. After a superb individual effort, he beat his defender and sent an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
Norway responded in the 33rd minute with an equalizer from Julian Lægreid, before taking the lead early in the second half thanks to Hakon Singsdal Volden (49th minute).
However, the Lions did not give up. In the 68th minute, Mohamed Redouan equalized with a magnificent free-kick, leaving the Norwegian goalkeeper helpless.
Just as the match seemed destined for a logical draw, Norway delivered the fatal blow in the final seconds of stoppage time (90+2), robbing Morocco of a positive result.
Following this frustrating defeat, the U18 national team will have the chance to make amends against the United States on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 20:00. Nourredine Naybet and his staff hope to see a reaction from their players and to correct the mistakes observed in the match against Norway.
