Morocco sweat over three World Cup injuries ahead of Scotland as Rangers star helps land draw

The Moroccans are in Group C of the tournament alongside Scotland, Brazil and Haiti and begin their tournament on Saturday night against the Brazilians in New York.

However, they have fresh knocks to deal with after left-back Nouassir Mazraoui and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli went off injured during the stalemate with the Norwegians in New Jersey.

Manchester United left-back Mazraoui came off after just 17 minutes, replaced by Youssef Belammari, and then Ezzalzouli was taken off at the interval for Soufiane Rahimi following a slight muscle strain.

Morocco opened the scoring on seven minutes through a low finish from Brahim Diaz after good work from Ezzalzouli and were the stronger of the two teams in the first half.

However, after a raft of substitutions, Norway regrouped in the second period and levelled when Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard fired home. They also brought on Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard for his eighth cap.

As well as the injuries to Mazraou and Ezzalzouli, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi is also sweating of the fitness of first-choice centre-half Nayef Aguerd, who missed the game against Norway.

The Marseille defender has not played since early March due to a groin problem and Ouahbi doesn’t yet know if he will be available for the World Cup.

"Regarding Nayef Aguerd, he's following the protocol that we've put in place," Ouahbi said last week. "We still have time to make a decision, and we'll continue to follow the protocol, but we also have [Marwane] Saadane, who's here.

"Whatever happens, we're good on this point of view. We're taking no risks, and we will not take any risks."

Brazil also have injuries to deal with after their first-choice right-back Wesley Franca was ruled out of the tournament over the weekend.

Sign up for The Scotsman's World Cup newsletter - full details here