Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss, left, and Sofyan Amrabat, right, celebrate after the former scored the winning goal during the World Cup group E qualifying soccer match between Morocco and Niger at the Stade municipal d'Oujda, Morocco.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Narrow Wins For Morocco And Ecuador; South Africa Beat Lesotho
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches on 21 March, Ecuador moved into second place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers table after securing a 2-1 win over Venezuela. Former West Ham striker Enner Valencia gave Ecuador a two-goal lead with strikes on both sides of half-time, but Jhonder Cadiz pulled one back in extra time. Meanwhile, Morocco ground out a 2-1 victory over Niger, with goals from Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannous, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. South Africa defeated Lesotho in a routine 2-0 win, with Relebohile Ratomo and Jayden Adams on target.
Niger Morocco WCup Soccer
| Photo: AP
Niger's Youssouf Oumarou Aliou, left, challenges Morocco's Azz-Eddine Ounahi, right, during the World Cup group E qualifying soccer match between Morocco and Niger at the Stade municipal d'Oujda, Morocco.
Morocco vs Niger
| Photo: AP
Niger's Youssouf Oumarou Aliou, front left, challenges Morocco's Eliesse Bensghir, right, during the World Cup group E qualifying soccer match between Morocco and Niger at the Stade municipal d'Oujda, Morocco.
Ecuador Venezuela Wcup 2026 Soccer
| Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Venezuela's Jhonder Cadiz, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Ecuador during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador.
Venezuela Ecuador Wcup 2026 Soccer
| Photo: AP/Patricio Teran
Venezuela's Cristian Casseres and Ecuador's Alan Franco compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador.
Ecuador vs Venezuela
| Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Ecuador's Enner Valencia, left, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Venezuela during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador.
Lesotho South Africa WCup Soccer
| Photo: AP/Str
South Africa Relebohile Mofokeng challenges Lesotho Lehlohonolo Matsau during the World Cup qualifying match between South Africa and Lesotho, in Polokwane, South Africa.
South Africa Lesotho WCup Soccer
| Photo: AP Photo/Str
South Africa Iqraam Rayners challenges Lesotho Tsepo Toloane during the World Cup qualifying match between South Africa and Lesotho, in Polokwane, South Africa.
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