Latest news with #NordinAmrabat
Morocco World
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Finish 2025 Club World Cup Campaign with 2-1 Loss to Al Ain
Marrakech – Wydad concluded their Club World Cup journey with a 2-1 defeat to Al Ain at Washington's Audi Field on Thursday. The Moroccan champions, who opened the scoring through Cassius Mailula in the fourth minute, ultimately finished bottom of Group G without a single point. Al Ain responded with goals from captain Kodjo Laba, who converted a penalty just before halftime, and Alejandro Romero, who netted the winner five minutes after the break. The victory was the first for the Emirati side in the tournament, though both teams had already been eliminated prior to this final group match. The contest began brightly for Wydad when Mailula capitalized on an excellent buildup. Nordin Amrabat delivered a long pass to Omar Al Somah, who quickly centered the ball for the South African striker. Mailula controlled skillfully, turned, and fired a precise shot into the top corner past Rui Patricio. Wydad nearly doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when Ayoub Boucheta's powerful effort struck the crossbar. The Moroccan side showed promising attacking intent during the opening exchanges. Al Ain gradually worked their way back into the match. Their persistence paid off in first-half stoppage time when referee Drew Fischer awarded a penalty after VAR review confirmed Boucheta had fouled Adis Jasic in the box. Laba stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with confidence, sending Mehdi Benabid the wrong way. The Emirati club completed their comeback in the 50th minute through Romero. The goal came after a flowing move involving Facundo Zabala and Matías Palacios, with the latter providing the final assist for Romero's clinical left-footed finish into the top corner. The goal underwent VAR review but was ultimately confirmed. Wydad pushed for an equalizer but struggled to create clear opportunities in the second half. Their best chance came when Zemraoui's shot rattled the crossbar. Meanwhile, Al Ain had opportunities to extend their lead, with Laba missing a golden chance in the 76th minute when he failed to hit the target from close range following Soufiane Rahimi's setup. The match grew increasingly physical in the closing stages, with Nordin Amrabat receiving a yellow card in the 83rd minute after a confrontation with Palacios. The referee added eight minutes of stoppage time, but Wydad couldn't find a way through Al Ain's determined defense. With this result, Wydad end their campaign at the bottom of Group G with zero points and a -6 goal difference. Manchester City and Juventus had already secured qualification to the knockout stages with six points each, rendering this match inconsequential for tournament progression. The defeat marks a disappointing conclusion for the Moroccan champions in the expanded Club World Cup format, having failed to register a single point across their group matches against elite opposition. Tags: 2025 FIFA Club World CupAl AinWydad Athletic Club (WAC)
Morocco World
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Juventus Clinches 4-1 Victory Over Wydad in Decisive FIFA Club World Cup Match
Rabat – Juventus won its game against Wydad Casablanca in a decisive Group G match at the FIFA Club World Cup, as the Moroccan club continues to struggle in a challenging campaign. Juventus controlled the match with 4-1, but Wydad Casablanca certainly maintained flashes of attempts and quality. The first three goals in the match were scored by Juventus forward K. Yildiz, who made several dangerous attempts and plays throughout the game. However, FIFA officially recorded one of the goals as an own goal by Wydad defender Abdelnouaim Boutouil, who was positioned close to the goal area and is believed to have made contact with the ball as Yildiz's shot came through in the sixth minute of the game. Wydad Casablanca scored its first and only goal in the match and the tournament in the 25th minute of the game through Thembinkosi Lorch. The goal came after a stunning assist from FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinalist Nordin Amrabat. Juventus' fourth goal came as a penalty in the last minutes of the game. The match proved to be dramatic as Juventus continued its relentless attacks on one end and Wydad felt the weight of pressure. The club's goalkeeper, El Mehdi Benabid, made several crucial saves, keeping his team in the game, preventing multiple goals from finding the net. Benabid's heroic performance, however, was not enough to spare Wydad from another defeat. Wydad Casablanca showed the same resilience against English giant Manchester City earlier this week on Wednesday. While the national club suffered a 2-0 defeat in its opener match, it was celebrated for its quality of play, particularly the coach's performance. El Mehdi Benabid rescued his team from decisive and strong strikes from Erling Haaland and many other superstars from Manchester City. Meanwhile, Nordin Amrabat led a successful defense campaign, contributing to the club's fierce response to tackle Manchester City's counterattacks. Tags: 2025 FIFA Club World CupWydad AC
Morocco World
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Casablanca's Mehdi Benabid Shows Resilience as Man City Registers Victory
Rabat — Manchester City registered its first win during the FIFA Club World Cup, taking on Morocco's Wydad Casablanca – the only Moroccan club representing the country during the competition. Phil Foden scored the first goal for Manchester United in the second minute of the match. Morocco's superstar Nordin Amrabat exerted his magic, playing both in defense and the attacking field to level up the team's performance during the competition. In the 31st minute of the game, Wydad Casablanca missed a huge opportunity to score an equalizer as Thembinkosi Lorch lost balance in the penalty area. During the first half, Wydad Casablanca showed glimpses of hesitation, with players often circling the penalty area whenever Manchester City had possession. The Moroccan club, however, showed some balance and caution, wary of Guariola's attacking system. Wydad Casablanca's goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid, played an expected role, intervening in key moments to halt some of the opponent's dangerous attempts. In the 42nd minute of the game, however, Manchester City strengthened its position with a second goal from a corner shot seized by Jeremy Doku. Manchester City faced challenges as Wydad Casablanca put five players in defense. The English club's first goal, however, made it easier for the team to play comfortably and at ease during the first half. The second goal gave them control over the match. Despite the defeat, Wydad Casablanca was cheered on by its fanbase, who chanted different slogans and chants – including the famous 'ole, ole, ole.. Wydad, Wydad.' Manchester City's Foden celebrated the win, saying he is happy with the three points secured during the competition. Meanwhile, Wydad Casablanca's Meijers Bart said, 'It's a good start in the tournament,' expressing pride for being part of the team.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Team news - Reijnders and Cherki start for City
Pep Guardiola names new signings, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, in his Manchester City starting 11 as Rayan Ait-Nouri starts on the captain Bernardo Silva also starts on the bench, as Ederson leads the team in their opening Club World Cup City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Reis, Ake, O'Reilly, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Savinho, Doku, Oretga, Dias, Stones, Haaland, Nico, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Echeverri, Khusanov, hand a competitive debut to veteran winger Nordin Amrabat, who joined them from Hull City last XI: Benabid, Moufid, Boutouil, Moufi, Meijers, Ferreira, El Moubarik, Zemraoui, Lorch, Amrabat, El Motie, Aqzdaou, Harkass, Moutarajji, Malsa, Arthur, Aziz Ki, Benktib, Pedrinho, Bennani, Mahtou, Rayhi, Obeng, Fathi, Mwalimu.
Morocco World
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
When, How to Watch Wydad AC vs. Manchester City in the Club World Cup
Rabat – Wydad Casablanca kicks off their Club World Cup journey today with a big match against one of Europe's football giants, Manchester City. The highly anticipated game will kick off at 5 pm GMT+1 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The match between Wydad Casablanca and Manchester City starts at 5:00 PM (GMT+1) on Wednesday, June 18. Fans can catch the action live on British streaming platform DAZN, MBC Masr 2, TBS, and Showmax. This is Wydad's first match in Group G of the Club World Cup, and it won't be an easy one. But despite the tough draw and low odds, Wydad's players and coach Amine Benhachem are confident and positive. The Moroccan side will be boosted by some strong new signings, including veteran Nordin Amrabat and Stephane Aziz Ki. Wydad will be aiming to defy the odds and make their mark on the world stage. Their ultimate goal, Benhachem says, is 'to honor Moroccan football first and foremost, and to defend the club's history in continental and international competitions.' Meanwhile, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola also has new talent, such as Rayan Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Marcus Bettinelli. City will also count on their star players like Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Omar Marmoush. City's attacking depth and technical superiority should allow them to dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities. Wydad may put up a resilient fight, especially in the first half, but ultimately, City's class and intensity are expected to prevail. After facing Manchester City, Wydad will play against Juventus on June 22 in Philadelphia, and finish the group stage on June 26 against Al-Ain FC in Washington D.C. Tags: Club World CupFootballmanchester citywydad
