Morocco continued their remarkable FIFA World Cup journey by defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday to become the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in consecutive tournaments.
A second-half brace from Azzedine Ounahi and a late strike by substitute Soufiane Rahimi secured a commanding victory for the Atlas Lions at Houston Stadium, extending Morocco’s impressive run after becoming Africa’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The victory sends Morocco into the last eight, where they will face either France or Paraguay in Boston on July 9.
Canada made the brighter start, pressing aggressively and forcing Morocco into several early mistakes. The co-hosts nearly took the lead when Ali Ahmed released Tani Oluwaseyi through on goal, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a brilliant save to deny the striker in a crucial one-on-one situation.
Morocco struggled to settle in the opening exchanges and suffered another setback in the 22nd minute when tournament top scorer Ismael Saibari limped off with an apparent muscle injury. He was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi as the North Africans searched for greater attacking rhythm.
After weathering Canada’s early pressure, Morocco emerged a transformed side after the break.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes into the second half from a well-worked set-piece. Achraf Hakimi squared the ball across the edge of the area for Ounahi, who struck a first-time effort beyond Maxime Crepeau and into the bottom corner to hand Morocco the lead.
The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Morocco’s favour as Canada struggled to maintain the intensity that had defined their first-half display.
Although Tajon Buchanan tested Bounou with a low effort, the Atlas Lions remained composed and looked increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack.
Their superiority was rewarded in the 82nd minute when Brahim Diaz teed up Ounahi, who rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to complete his brace and all but seal Morocco’s place in the quarter-finals.
The brace was historic, making Ounahi the first African player since Senegal’s Henri Camara in 2002 to score twice in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.
Rahimi completed the victory deep into stoppage time after being played through by Diaz, calmly slotting past Crepeau to cap an outstanding team performance.
While the scoreline was harsh on Canada, whose energetic first-half display threatened to unsettle Morocco, the African side’s superior quality, experience and composure proved decisive after the interval.
The defeat brings an end to Canada’s memorable home World Cup campaign after the co-hosts reached the knockout stages and recorded their first-ever victories at the tournament.
For Morocco, however, the dream continues.
The Atlas Lions have once again demonstrated why they are among the world’s most resilient tournament teams, producing another disciplined and clinical knockout performance to keep Africa’s hopes alive.
Having already rewritten history by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, Morocco have now become the first African nation to qualify for back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals.
Ounahi brace powers Morocco into World Cup quarter-finals again
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