3 Things We Learned From Morocco's 3-1 Win Over Estonia

In Morocco's final warm-up game before the start of their World Cup campaign, the Atlas Lions ran out comfortable winners over Estonia in Tallinn.

Younes Belhanda's upturn in form continued as he opened the scoring early on after some neat build-up play from Hakim Ziyech and Ayoub El Kaabi.

Ziyech then turned goalscorer from the penalty spot just before half time after Amine Harit was fouled in the box.

Herve Renard made multiple changes in the second half, and substitute Youssef En-Nesyri finished from close range from a Belhanda cross to extend Morocco's lead.

The African side lost a lot of their rhythm after the break, and Estonia deservedly pulled a goal back through striker Ats Purje.

Overall, there are still plenty of decisions to be made by Renard in regards to his selection for the massive World Cup opener with Iran on June 15th.

Here are 3 things we learned:

Kaabi or not Kaabi?

After making an instant impact in Morocco's comeback win over Slovakia, boss Herve Renard handed Ayoub El Kaabi a start in the match with Estonia. The 24-year-old took his chance, being involved in all 3 goals and his all round play was very good. El Kaabi played a huge part in the first goal. After Ziyech spotted his run, the RS Berkane man laid the ball through to Mbark Bousouffa and followed his run into the box. Bousouffa crossed, El Kaabi touched the ball back, Belhanda finished. Later on, he pressured the Estonia back line into a mistake, winning the ball and finding Amine Harit, who was fouled for the penalty. His contribution continued in the second half when he found Belhanda free on the left, who then squared to En-Nesyri for Morocco's third goal.

El Kaabi was a constant threat all game and showed that he is not one-dimensional- he was able to hold the ball up, play in teammates and make quick movements into space for the midfielders to find him. It was another confident display and one that gives the head coach a real headache for the World Cup. It is obvious that Renard likes a target man up front like Khalid Boutaib or Aziz Bouhaddouz but their current form is not close to that of El Kaabi. He is a much bigger goal threat than the other two options and has shown his ability as an all round striker rather than just being a 'fox in the box'. It would be great to see him start against Iran.

Mehdi the master of defence

So it's nothing new knowing that captain Mehdi Benatia is Morocco's most important man in defence, and yesterday's game epitomised how valuable he is to this side. In the first half, the defence, marshalled by the Juventus centre back, was solid and composed; Estonia failed to have a shot on target during the opening 45 minutes.

Full backs Nordin Amrabat and Achraf Hakimi were able to be positioned high and wide to pin the hosts back so it was easy for Benatia and partner Roman Saiss to hold possession and find the midfield.

However, Morocco's captain was subbed off at half time to allow Manuel da Costa to get some minutes and this allowed Estonia back into the game. The composure of the back four was gone. Nordin Amrabat as a makeshift right-back was found out of position on a few occasions and was cautioned for some erratic defending.

For the Estonian consolation goal, da Costa was beaten too easily by Purje and Saiss was unable to cover quick enough to block the shot. Purje should have scored again as he got through on goal but shot tamely at Munir.

The second half defensive performance just shows how vital Benatia is in holding this defence together.

All hail Harit

The Bundesliga Rookie of the Year again showed his attacking ability in yesterday's win, giving his boss serious reason to start him on June 15th. The way in which he finds space in between defence and midfield to then turn and drive towards goal is so elegant to watch. Harit won the penalty in which Ziyech converted, showing intelligence to take a good first touch in front of him to ensure the defender wouldn't be able to win the ball with their tackle.

The lack of his presence showed after half time as Renard chose to substitute him to give others some minutes, resulting in Estonia causing Morocco many problems. Not only can he drive at defenders with the ball, Harit has also displayed the ability to know when to pass the ball off, which will no doubt increase his coaches' trust to play him from the off rather than as an impact substitute. There is no question, he must start against Iran.