Morocco emphatically booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after walloping co-hosts Canada 3-0 in their Round of 16 clash at the Houston Stadium.
It was Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi who ended Coach Jesse Marsch’s dream as the ‘default’ African champions secure back-to-back World Cup quarter-final appearances.
In sealing the Moroccan victory and ending Canada’s campaign, two second-half goals from Ounahi, his first-ever FIFA World Cup goals, and a stoppage-time strike from Rahimi did the magic.
Canada entered the match seeking consecutive victories in FIFA World Cup knockout matches after recording their first-ever knockout win against South Africa.
However, a disciplined and confident Atlas Lions that remained composed despite the co-hosts’ high-tempo approach left them frustrated for a larger part of the game.
Canada created the first clear chances of the game, forcing Yassine Bounou into two important saves, including a superb point-blank stop from close range. Morocco then suffered a setback midway through the first half when star forward Ismael Saibari was forced off with a hamstring injury as they struggled to contain Canada’s pace.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side gradually took control of the contest and broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half. Ounahi fired home from the edge of the box after Achraf Hakimi cleverly played a short free-kick into his path.
Canada pressed for an equaliser, with Jonathan David sending a free-kick over the crossbar and Tajon Buchanan testing Bounou from long range. But Morocco doubled their advantage when Ounahi finished brilliantly into the top corner after being played through by Brahim Diaz on a swift counterattack.
Rahimi, who had earlier struck the crossbar, completed the scoring six minutes into stoppage time, calmly converting another assist from Diaz to spark celebrations on the Moroccan bench.
The victory sends Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament, making them the first African nation to reach the last eight in back-to-back FIFA World Cups.
Though the disappointment was evident throughout the Canadian camp, the result was always the most likely outcome. As good as they had been at times over the last two years under head coach Jesse Marsch, Canada lacked a statement win against a true titan of the game and needed one in the biggest moment.
No doubt, Saturday wasn’t the performance the Canadians had dreamed of, but there’s no reason to hang their heads. Actually very few football pundits expected Canada to reach this stage of the World Cup, and many of the squad’s most important players will still be under 30 when the 2030 World Cup arrives.
For now, Morocco will face either France or Paraguay in the quarter-final at Boston Stadium on Thursday, June 9, 2026.
