Morocco eases past Canada to reach quarter-finals
Morocco dispatched a determined Canada 3-0 to reach the last eight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice as the African champion ended the record run of the co-host while reaching the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.
The scoreline flattered Morocco, which was on the back foot for most of the opening period and failed to register an attempt on goal until the 28th minute after Canada spurned a number of good chances.
The tame first-half performance caused Morocco's visibly frustrated coach Mohamed Ouahbi to shake his head on the touchline after misplaced passes and needless errors before his players turned things around in the second period.
"It’s a [FIFA] World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives," he said.
"We reacted very well in the second half in the second balls and the duels."
"I have to recognise that Canada was impressive – it played a top match. It was no surprise for us but in the second half we were able to profit from the space they left us – that was the key."
Morocco also suffered an early blow when Ismael Saibari, who has scored three goals in the tournament, was forced off with a hamstring injury, replaced by Soufiane Rahimi in the 22nd minute.
The 2022 semi-finalist struggled as an energised Canada came out aggressively from the opening whistle, pushing forward and pressing as Morocco struggled to click into gear.
It looked like the co-host might prolong its fairytale run in the tournament but it paid for failing to convert early chances when Morocco snatched the lead five minutes after the restart.
Achraf Hakimi played a low pass from the right-hand side during a well-worked free-kick routine to the unmarked Ounahi, who side-footed into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards.
That goal took the air out of a Canada side that had to do without its talisman Alphonso Davies, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout a tournament in which it notched its first point and win at a FIFA World Cup.
Ounahi added a second on 82 minutes when a four-on-two break led to Brahim Diaz teeing the midfielder up to fire into the top corner as Canada got caught out trying to push forward for the equaliser.
Morocco added a late third via another lightning break as substitute Rahimi crowned a convincing performance.
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the team on social media for its historic run while coach Jessie Marsch praised his players for the way they took the match to Morocco.
"We have to be in these situations more and more, and then we have to find ways to succeed, and then we have to build from that,” he said.
“I'm really proud of our guys. We went after the game, they're hurting right now, but my goodness.”
