Morocco beat Canada 3-0 to return to World Cup quarterfinals
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco advanced again, ending Canada's run in the Round of 16.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Azzedine Ounahi scored two second-half goals as Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, the Associated Press reported. The result made Morocco the first African country to advance to the last eight at more than one World Cup.
Morocco, known as the Atlas Lions, is back in the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament. AP reported that the team had made history in 2022 by becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal.
Canada controlled much of the early play, according to AP, but the match stayed scoreless until the 50th minute. Ounahi opened the scoring after taking a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and driving a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area through a crowd and into the lower right corner.
Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute. AP reported that Brahim Díaz set him up after a fast Morocco break, and Ounahi finished with his right foot from the center of the box.
Morocco added a third goal in the final minute of stoppage time through Soufiane Rahimi. AP reported that Rahimi had entered in the 22nd minute after forward Ismael Saibari was forced off injured.
The match was rough throughout, with eight yellow cards shown, according to AP. Each team received four bookings.
Canada had chances to get back into the game late. AP reported that Jonathan David sent a free kick over the crossbar in the 78th minute, and Tajon Buchanan then forced a diving stop from Yassine Bounou on a shot from roughly 30 yards.
Bounou, who was born in Canada to Moroccan parents, made three saves in the win, AP reported.
The defeat ended a notable tournament for Canada, one of the World Cup cohosts. AP reported that Canada had reached the Round of 16 after earning its first knockout-stage victory, a 1-0 win against South Africa.
Canada was appearing in the World Cup for only the third time, according to AP. Its run drew attention in a country where hockey usually commands more public interest than football.
Morocco entered the match ranked sixth by FIFA, AP reported. The team had reached the Round of 16 by eliminating the Netherlands on penalties, giving the Dutch their earliest exit from a World Cup.
The result also repeated the outcome of the teams’ meeting at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage before finishing fourth, according to AP.
Morocco will play the winner of Paraguay against France in Boston on Thursday, AP reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.