05.07.2026, 07:02 Uhr
Azzedine Ounahi scored a brace as ruthless Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Canada who became the first host nation to go out.
Man of the Match Ounahi opened the scoring for the African champions and 2022 semi-finalists in the 50th minute, doubled the lead in the 82nd before substitute Soufiane Rahimi wrapped up matters in stoppage time.
Morocco were far from glorious but efficient as they posted their fourth victory in a row after an opening 1-1 draw with Brazil and didn't need additional minutes like in their previous match against the Netherlands which they won on penalties.
Saibari concern for another quarter-final
In their second straight quarter-final, Morocco will face twice champions France, who beat them in the semi-finals four years ago.
Morocco will be sweating on the fitness of influential Ismael Saibari after the three-time scorer limped off midway through the first half and replaced by Rahimi. The nature of his injury was not known immediately.
"We suffered," coach Mohamed Ouahb admitted. "When you face a team that plays as intense as Canada then you know that there will be difficult moments. You have to deal with such moments if you want to go a long way."
Canada coach Jesse Marsch said that "we were the better team" and his captain, Stephen Eustaquio, struck a similar note.
“I think we did an amazing tournament. Until half-time of this game we were outstanding. Everybody back home should be very proud. We felt we could have won this game, especially in the first half," he said.
Canada did show a lot of courage but were rarely really dangerous and 11 corner kicks also came and went.
They exit after a best performance in only their third participation at the global stage, having gone out in the group stage on the previous two occasions.
The other two host nations are still to play their last 16 matches, with Mexico hosting England at Azteca Stadium on Sunday and the United States up against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
Canada would have also had their first two knock-out matches at home, after playing their group games there, had they won their group but a second-place finish forced them to continue in the US.
They won the first match in California against South Africa before being stopped in Texas where captain Alphonso Davies still not made it into the starting XI in the comeback from injury.
Canada with strong start
Canada started well and pressed Morocco whose keeper Yassine Bounou had to make crucial early saves against Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi.
The Atlas Lions lost plenty of balls and then also Saibari who had signed for German champions Bayern Munich earlier in the week.
The game became even more physical and tempers flared as referee Michael Oliver dished out six of his eight yellow cards in the first half.
Morocco ruthless after the break
Morocco took the lead completely out of the blue from a set piece five minutes after the restart.
Captain Achraf Hakimi laid a free-kick from the right back to the edge of the penalty area to Ounahi who curled home into the bottom right corner with his right foot.
Canada's tried to get the equalizer but David's free-kick went over in the 78th and a minute later Bounou dove to his right to keep out a dangerous effort from Tajon Buchanan.
Morocco then clinched matters on the counter in the 82nd, with Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz setting Ounahi up to smash into the top right corner.
Rahimi headed Ounahi's cross against the underside of the bar but the third came in the eighth minute of stoppage time on another counter attack when Rahimi slotted past Crepeau off another Diaz feed.
Source: Dpa-international.com
