Yacoub El Mansour Stuns Raja Casablanca in Botola Pro Upset

Yacoub El Mansour produced a memorable performance on June 26, 2026, defeating Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic 2-1 in a thrilling Botola Pro encounter. The home side, often seen as underdogs against the Casablanca powerhouse, delivered a disciplined display to claim all three points in front of an electric crowd.

The match kicked off at 01:00 local time, with Raja immediately asserting possession. However, Yacoub El Mansour’s compact defensive shape frustrated the visitors, and against the run of play, the hosts struck first. A swift counter-attack in the 23rd minute saw striker Ahmed Benali slot home after a precise through ball from midfielder Karim El Haddad. Raja responded well, equalizing just before halftime through a powerful header from captain Mohamed Nahiri following a corner kick.

The second half was a tense affair. Both sides had chances, but it was Yacoub El Mansour who found the winner in the 72nd minute. A defensive lapse from Raja allowed substitute Youssef Fathi to pounce on a loose ball inside the box and fire past the goalkeeper. Raja pushed forward in search of an equalizer but were thwarted by a resilient backline and excellent goalkeeping from Anas Zniti, who made several key saves.

Key Moments

• 23' – Ahmed Benali opens the scoring for Yacoub El Mansour after a rapid counter.
• 45+1' – Mohamed Nahiri heads home the equalizer for Raja from a corner.
• 72' – Youssef Fathi capitalizes on a defensive error to slot home the winner.
• 85' – Raja’s Hamza El Moussaoui hits the crossbar with a long-range effort.

Standout Players

Ahmed Benali was a constant threat on the break, while Youssef Fathi made an immediate impact off the bench. For Raja, Mohamed Nahiri led by example but lacked support in attack. The victory lifts Yacoub El Mansour up the Botola Pro standings, while Raja face questions about their consistency away from home.