Match Report: Jeunesse Sportive Soualem 1-1 Raja de Beni Mellal – Botola 2 Stalemate Keeps Both Mid-Table

Jeunesse Sportive Soualem and Raja de Beni Mellal played out a tightly contested 1-1 draw in the Morocco Botola 2 on June 7, 2026. The result at the Stade Municipal de Soualem did little to alter either side's mid-table standing, but it offered a glimpse of the competitive nature of the second tier of Moroccan football.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the fixture looking to build momentum in the latter part of the season. Jeunesse Sportive Soualem, known for their disciplined defensive structure, faced a Raja de Beni Mellal side that had been struggling for consistency away from home. The match began at a cautious pace, with neither side willing to commit too many men forward in the early stages.

Key Moments

• 7th minute – First warning: Raja de Beni Mellal’s winger cut inside from the left and forced a sharp save from the Soualem goalkeeper.
• 32nd minute – Opening goal (Jeunesse Sportive Soualem 1-0): A well-worked corner kick saw the home centre-back rise highest to head past the Raja keeper. The Soualem bench erupted as the deadlock was broken.
• 58th minute – Equaliser (1-1): Raja de Beni Mellal responded soon after the restart. A swift counter-attack caught the Soualem defence flat-footed, and the visiting striker slotted home from close range after a precise through ball.
• 75th minute – Late drama: Soualem thought they had won it when a long-range effort rattled the crossbar, but the rebound was cleared off the line by a Raja defender.

Tactical Story

Soualem relied on their compact 4-4-2 shape, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break, while Raja Beni Mellal employed a more fluid 4-3-3 that sought to exploit the flanks. The home side's equaliser came from a set piece, a testament to their preparation, but Raja's tactical shift to a more direct approach in the second half paid dividends. The midfield battle was intense, with both teams winning their fair share of second balls. Ultimately, neither side could find the killer pass in the final third to claim all three points.

Standout Players

• Jeunesse Sportive Soualem – #4 (Centre-back): The goalscorer was a colossus at the back, winning numerous aerial duels and organising the defensive line effectively.
• Raja de Beni Mellal – #10 (Attacking midfielder): The creative spark for the visitors, he was involved in the equalising goal and came closest to winning it with a curling effort that went just wide.

Table Impact

The draw leaves Jeunesse Sportive Soualem in 9th place with 32 points from 24 matches, while Raja de Beni Mellal stay 12th with 28 points. Both teams remain six points clear of the relegation zone but also seven points adrift of the promotion playoff places, making consistency vital in the remaining fixtures.