Morocco turned a closely fought match into a decisive win on Saturday, netting three unanswered goals in the second half to triumph over Canada 3-0 and earn a spot in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Azzedine Ounahi showcased his skill by scoring twice after halftime, while substitute Soufiane Rahimi sealed the game with the last kick, propelling the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists into the tournament’s final eight.
Next, Morocco will face France, who edged out Paraguay 1-0, as the competition for the World Cup title heats up in North America.
Canada’s Dream Comes to an End
Canada entered the Round of 16 with unprecedented excitement.
Having celebrated both their first World Cup win and knockout-stage victory, Jesse Marsch’s squad arrived in Houston hoping for another landmark moment in what has been the most successful tournament in the nation’s football history.
Instead, the co-hosts became the first host nation to be eliminated from the competition.
Although seen as heavy underdogs, Canada played with confidence for much of the first half, even as the majority of the 68,777 attendees at the climate-controlled Houston Stadium supported Morocco.
Canadians Create Chances Before Morocco Settles In
Canada had the upper hand in creating chances before halftime.
Just 10 minutes into the match, Tani Oluwaseyi cleverly maneuvered in the penalty area, forcing Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, born in Montreal, to make a brilliant save with an outstretched leg.
The Canadians maintained the pressure with set pieces, but defender Alistair Johnston regretted a missed opportunity when he failed to trouble the Moroccan defense with a free header from one of four first-half corners.
Morocco struggled to find its offensive rhythm and faced an early blow when Ismael Saibari, who had already netted three goals in the tournament and is headed to Bayern Munich, was injured and substituted after 20 minutes. Rahimi entered and soon registered Morocco’s first shot on target with an ambitious long-range effort following a cooling break.
Tempers Rise in a Physical First Half
The first 45 minutes were marked more by physicality than creative play, with clear scoring opportunities few and far between.
Tensions peaked right before halftime when Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea engaged in a brief clash, resulting in yellow cards for both athletes.
English referee Michael Oliver issued six yellow cards in the first half, four of which were shown to Moroccan players, as frequent fouls disrupted the flow of the game.
Morocco Takes Charge After the Break
The match shifted dramatically with the start of the second half.
Just five minutes in, Hakimi delivered a low free kick to an unmarked Ounahi outside the box, who made no mistake with a first-time right-footed strike that found the net.
Canada’s goalkeeper, Maxime Crépeau, was unable to see the shot as two defenders blocked his view, while Rahimi’s movement across the area further complicated his reaction.
With Canada pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Morocco capitalized on the space available.
In the 82nd minute, Ounahi finished off a swift counterattack with another first-time shot, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Rahimi then rounded off an emphatic victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time, calmly scoring the final goal.
Morocco Aims for Another Deep Tournament Run
This victory reaffirmed Morocco’s status as one of the tournament’s leading contenders, following their impressive semi-final appearance four years ago.
Having previously defeated Canada in the 2022 World Cup group stage, the Atlas Lions showed their efficiency when it mattered most, bouncing back from a lackluster first half to deliver a powerful attacking display after the break.
For Canada, this loss ended a trailblazing campaign that redefined the nation’s football narrative. Although their World Cup journey finished in Houston, it marked a significant milestone for a program steadily establishing itself on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Morocco marches on with increasing confidence, setting the stage for an exciting quarter-final clash against France as the race for World Cup glory enters its crucial stages.
