Yassine double leads Morocco’s young attacking stars’ European surge

Gessime Yassine scored twice for Strasbourg, while Yassir Zabiri and Younes Ebnoutalib both claimed hat-tricks as Morocco’s emerging generation made a major impact across Europe over the weekend.

The performances, recorded in France, Spain and Germany, also included two assists each for Abdellah Ouazane and Ismael Saibari. Together, they provided further evidence of the depth becoming available to Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi.

This latest burst of form is part of a wider trend. Over recent months, a new group of Moroccan players has begun to establish itself in senior football, with many of them emerging from the team that won the 2025 Fifa U20 World Cup.

At Strasbourg, 20-year-old Yassine played a decisive role in a 2-1 comeback victory over Lens. The Racing side fell behind but turned the match around after the break, with Yassine scoring both goals the first of his Ligue 1 career.

His opening goal came after a move involving Nanasi and Reyna, which allowed the Moroccan to level the contest shortly after half-time. Yassine then completed the turnaround by meeting a cross from Nanasi with a volley, sending the crowd at Stade de la Meinau into celebration.

Yassine was one of the leading figures in Morocco’s 2025 world title success at U20 level and has already been involved with the senior Atlas Lions. His display against Lens suggested he is ready to take another step forward at club level this season.

The previous day, Zabiri had produced an equally striking performance for Racing Santander. Making his first start in La Liga, the forward on loan from Rennes scored three times in a 21-minute spell against Elche.

That feat also placed him among the quickest African players to score a La Liga hat-trick in the 21st century.

In Germany, Ebnoutalib also claimed a treble for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 3-3 draw with Union Berlin. The striker scored all three of his side’s goals, with Ouahbi watching from the stands.

Ebnoutalib had already scored and provided an assist the previous weekend, meaning his latest performance extended a run of outstanding displays.

There were further notable contributions elsewhere. Ouazane registered two assists for Ajax, while Saibari marked his Bundesliga debut with Bayern by also setting up two goals.

For Ouahbi, the weekend offered a clear indication that competition for places in Morocco’s attack is intensifying. Zabiri is pushing for consideration, Ebnoutalib is demanding attention, Yassine is confirming his progress, Ouazane continues to develop and Saibari appears to be moving into a new phase of his career.

With Morocco’s next fixtures approaching, the national team may have more promising young attacking options than at any point in recent times.