After a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in his debut match last Friday in Madrid, Ouahbi saw his side make the difference early in the second half, thanks to a decisive five-minute spell inspired by the duo of Achraf Hakimi and Gessime Yassine.
The match turned immediately after the break. Yassine set up Hakimi on the right flank, whose cross found Bilal El Khannouss to open the scoring in the 48th minute. Just five minutes later, a nearly identical move saw Hakimi deliver another cross, this time converted by Neil El Aynaoui, who netted his second goal in as many matches.
The attacking combination proved highly effective, even if Yassine may still have to compete for a regular spot alongside Brahim Díaz on the flank.
Paraguay pulled one back late in the game through Caballero, who scored from close range in the 88th minute. However, it came too late to threaten Morocco’s control, as the Atlas Lions comfortably held on to secure the win.
The victory was celebrated in front of a lively crowd in Lens, where supporters from the Moroccan diaspora gathered in large numbers. The evening also carried symbolic value, as fans paid tribute to former coach Walid Regragui with a banner reading, “Thank you for everything Walid, welcome Ouahbi.”
With this first success, Morocco begin a new chapter under Ouahbi with growing confidence and momentum.
