Morocco cruised into the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in Houston, ending the hosts’ dream run at the tournament.
The Atlas Lions, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, produced a clinical second-half performance to secure passage into the last eight, where they will face either France or Paraguay.
Azzedine Ounahi starred for Morocco with a brace, while substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a late third goal to cap an impressive display.
Canada headed into the encounter riding a wave of momentum after recording their first World Cup win and first knockout-stage triumph to reach the last 16.
Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777, Jesse Marsch’s men enjoyed the better chances during the opening half and looked capable of causing an upset.
Tani Oluwaseyi tested goalkeeper Yassine Bounou early on, while defender Alistair Johnston squandered a headed opportunity from a corner as Canada pressed for the breakthrough.
Morocco, however, weathered the storm despite losing in-form midfielder Ismael Saibari to injury midway through the first half.
The contest was tense and physical, with six players booked before the interval, including Achraf Hakimi and Richie Laryea after a brief altercation.
Morocco emerged from the break transformed.
Just five minutes into the second half, Hakimi delivered a low free-kick to Ounahi, who struck first time from outside the area to give the North Africans the lead.
Canada pushed forward in search of an equaliser but left spaces at the back, which Morocco exploited effectively.
Ounahi doubled the advantage in the 82nd minute after another swift attacking move before Rahimi wrapped up the victory in stoppage time with the final kick of the match.
The result sees Morocco continue their impressive World Cup journey and reinforces their credentials as serious contenders for another historic run.
For Canada, the defeat signals the end of a memorable campaign that saw the nation achieve several milestones on football’s biggest stage, despite becoming the first co-host country to be eliminated from the tournament.
