Morocco Cruise Past Canada 3-0 to Reach Quarter-Finals

Morocco have eliminated co-hosts Canada from the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory in Houston, setting up a quarter-final clash with France, who edged Paraguay 1-0.

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, with Soufiane Rahimi adding a third in stoppage time, as Morocco progressed to the last eight and moved one win away from equalling their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup.

Canada had actually started the stronger side and should have been ahead inside the opening 11 minutes, with both Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi denied one on one by Morocco goalkeeper Bono in quick succession. The co-hosts pressed relentlessly in the first half and created more chances, but Morocco were combative and difficult to break down, with English referee Michael Oliver showing seven yellow cards in a bad-tempered first period.

The Moroccans made Canada pay five minutes into the second half. Achraf Hakimi cut back a free-kick from the right and Ounahi swept home from inside the box as the Canadian defence failed to close him down. Once ahead, Morocco looked a different side and the game was effectively settled when Ounahi converted a breakaway with eight minutes remaining to make it 2-0. Rahimi, who had earlier looped a header off the crossbar, added the third with the last touch of the match, sliding his shot under Crepeau.

The statistics reflected a tale of two halves in terms of quality. Canada had more total shots on the night, 10 to Morocco's 5, and dominated the corners 11 to 1, but managed only 3 on target compared to Morocco's 4. Morocco were simply more clinical, turning fewer but better chances into three goals while Canada generated plenty of pressure without the end product to match.

Morocco finished with 56% possession, completed 399 passes at 85% accuracy compared to Canada's 78%, and stayed composed throughout despite Canada committing 23 fouls across the match.

For Canada, it is a bittersweet end to their most successful World Cup campaign. They earned their first ever point, first win and first knockout stage victory at this tournament before falling at the last 16. Morocco march on with momentum building at exactly the right time