Azzedine Ounahi once again proved why he is one of Morocco's most important players. The midfielder scored a spectacular brace in a 3-0 victory over Canada, a result that sent the Atlas Lions into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 while also earning him a special place in Moroccan football history.

With his two goals, Ounahi became just the third Morocco player to score a brace at a FIFA World Cup. Before him, only Abderrazak Khairi and Salaheddine Bassir had achieved the feat, joining an exclusive group of legends in Moroccan football.

A Place Among Morocco's Greatest Players

The first was Abderrazak Khairi, who scored twice during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico in Morocco's historic 3-1 victory over Portugal at Estadio Jalisco. That result allowed Morocco to become the first African nation to finish atop a World Cup group and advance to the knockout stage.

Twelve years later, at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Salaheddine Bassir matched the achievement with a brace against Scotland in the Atlas Lions' 3-0 victory. Although the win was ultimately not enough to qualify because of the controversial draw between Brazil and Norway, Bassir's performance became one of the most memorable moments in Moroccan football history.

Now, nearly three decades later, Azzedine Ounahi has written another chapter. His performance carries even greater significance, as he became the first Moroccan player to score a brace in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. His goals not only added another historic milestone but also propelled Morocco into the quarterfinals, further proving that the nation's historic fourth-place finish at Qatar 2022 was no coincidence.

Ounahi Leads the Atlas Lions

Beyond his goals, Ounahi has delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament. His ability to carry the ball forward, break defensive lines with his movement, arrive late into attacking positions, and create numerical superiority in midfield has made him an indispensable piece of Walid Regragui's system. Against Canada, he once again displayed the tactical intelligence, relentless work rate, and technical quality that define his game.

Morocco's collective growth also deserves special recognition. The Atlas Lions have been one of the most impressive teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026. After navigating a demanding group stage and eliminating the Netherlands with authority, the African side produced another commanding performance against Canada, controlling the midfield battle and showing remarkable efficiency at both ends of the pitch.

With players such as Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Sofyan Amrabat, and an inspired Azzedine Ounahi, Morocco continues to establish itself as one of African football's true powers and a genuine contender to keep making history at this World Cup. Reaching the quarterfinals confirms that the Atlas Lions are no longer the tournament's surprise package—they are a world-class team capable of competing with anyone.

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