Morocco cruised into the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament after a clinical 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada on Saturday. The scoreline, however, masked a difficult opening half for the North Africans, who were heavily pressed by an aggressive Canadian side and lost key forward Ismael Saibari to an early hamstring injury.
Despite failing to register a single shot on goal for the first 28 minutes and surviving several close scares, including a crucial leg save by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Morocco completely turned the game around after the break.
The breakthrough came 5 minutes into the second half when captain Achraf Hakimi picked out an unmarked Azzedine Ounahi during a clever free-kick routine, with Ounahi side-footing home from 25 yards. The goal deflated a spirited Canadian team, who were forced to play without their injured talisman Alphonso Davies.
Canada continued to push for an equalizer but lacked quality in the final third, leaving them vulnerable to Morocco’s lethal counter-attacks. Ounahi doubled the lead in the 82nd minute following a quick break assisted by Brahim Diaz, making him the first African player to score a brace in a World Cup knockout match since 2002. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a late third to seal the win.
Morocco will face either Paraguay or France in the quarter-finals on July 9, while Canada exits the tournament after a historic run that saw them secure their first-ever World Cup points.
–Reuters/ChannelAfrica–
