Co-host Canada’s World Cup 2026 dream ended as they lost 3-0 against Morocco to exit the competition in the round of 16 after two goals scored by Azzedine Ounahi.
However, Morocco is the first African nation ever to reach the quarter-finals of two World Cup tournaments in 2022 and 2026.
Although the damage had already done to Canada’s ambition, how did the whole thing happen?
Canada was the better team during the first half and failed to use opportunities against Morocco, creating any clear-cut chances, which it appeared the Morocco team came out slow.
The first half ended with both teams engaging on momentum swinging the float of the football, but neither side was able to impact the scoreboard.
Morocco had a strong chance after the break while three of them were converted to goals.
The first goal was scored by Ounahi as a result of received a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and fired a right-footed shot through traffic from outside the box into the bottom right corner.
Momentum of the game still continued till the 82nd minute when Ounahi receive a pass from Brahim Diaz through a quick counterattack using his right foot to shoot the ball from the middle of the box and Soufiane Rahimi added the third in the 90+ 8 minute of stoppage time, assisted by Brahim Diaz again.
Morocco have now beaten Canada in back-to-back World Cups — having defeated them in the 2022 group stage — and are unbeaten in five meetings.
Substitute player from both sides.
Morocco have brought on Soufiane Rahimi ,Marwane Saadane and Samir El Mourabet to replace Ismael Saibari due to Potential InjuryIssa, Diop and goalscorer Azzedine Onehunga.
Canada, meanwhile, have brought on Jonathan Osorio and Jayden Nelson in place of Niko Sig and Tajon Buchanan.
Can history made by the Atlas Lions as the first African country to enter semi-finalists at Qatar 2022 improve to title winners ?
Let’s see if Morocco face the winner of France vs Paraguay in the World Cup quarter-finals on July 9th in Boston and if Morocco reaches the Semifinals, the next opponent could be one of the following teams: Portugal, Spain,Belgium or the United States.
Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides drew 1-1 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Morocco edged past the Dutch 3-2 on penalties.
Remember Morocco has qualified for the FIFA World Cup on seven occasions, which were in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022 and 2026 when they finished in fourth place in 2022 to become both the first African and Arab nation to reach a semi-final at a World Cup.