Morocco: Clinical Victory Ends Canada’s World Cup Dream
Azzedine Ounahi scores twice as Morocco defeats co-host Canada 3-0 to book a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Morocco players celebrate after defeating Canada in the FIFA World Cup.
Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over co-host Canada on Saturday, ending the hosts’ historic tournament run in Houston.
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists produced a clinical second-half display, with midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time. Morocco will now face either France or Paraguay in the quarter-finals.
Canada entered the match hoping to continue the most successful World Cup campaign in the nation’s history after recording their first-ever tournament victory and progressing beyond the group stage for the first time.
Pakistan-Turkiye Relations: Shehbaz, Erdogan Reaffirm $5 Billion Trade Goal
Despite being considered underdogs, Jesse Marsch’s side started brightly and created the better opportunities during the opening half. Forward Tani Oluwaseyi forced Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into an early save, while defender Alistair Johnston missed a clear headed chance from a corner as Canada piled on early pressure.
Morocco struggled to find their rhythm before suffering an injury setback when Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari, who had scored three goals during the tournament, left the field after 20 minutes.
The opening half produced few clear-cut chances, with the match becoming increasingly physical. Referee Michael Oliver showed six yellow cards, including bookings for Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea following a brief confrontation before the interval.
Morocco emerged with renewed intensity after the break and broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Hakimi delivered a low free-kick to an unmarked Ounahi, who struck a first-time effort past goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to give his side the lead.
Canada responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Morocco remained dangerous on the counterattack. Ounahi sealed the victory in the 82nd minute with another composed first-time finish after a swift attacking move.
Rahimi completed the scoring with the final kick of the match, calmly finishing in the eighth minute of stoppage time to secure an emphatic victory.
The result makes Canada the first of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts to be eliminated from the tournament, while Morocco continues its impressive run and remains among the strongest contenders for another deep World Cup campaign.
