Morocco defeats co-host Canada 3-0, advancing to World Cup quarterfinals

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Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston.

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The 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favourites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches.

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After a first half littered with more bookings than shots, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes.

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Canada — playing the biggest game in their footballing history — pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch’s men.

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Substitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match.

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It was tough on Canada, who were the better side in the opening period in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they sought to make more history.

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They came into the contest in uncharted territory, having won a World Cup match and then a knockout game for the first time to get to the last 16.

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They were clear underdogs and their fans were outnumbered by Morocco supporters at the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.

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Yet they looked the more confident at the start, Tani Oluwaseyi turning sharply in the box and forcing Morocco’s Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to save with a stretched-out leg after 10 minutes.

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From Canada’s fourth corner of the half, defender Alistair Johnston failed to make the most of a free header. Morocco were rattled.

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After 20 minutes Mohamed Ouahbi’s team suffered a big injury blow, Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari — who had scored three times at the tournament — coming off for Rahimi.

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Immediately after the drinks break Rahimi had a go optimistically from distance, registering Morocco’s first shot on target with a quarter of the game gone.

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There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards.

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Referee Michael Oliver booked six players — four from Morocco — in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goal-mouth action.

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The build-up to the last World Cup game of seven in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, was the highlight until that point.

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Morocco, who beat Canada in the group phase at the 2022 World Cup, came out for the second period transformed.

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Five minutes after the restart Hakimi pinged a low free-kick to Ounahi unmarked outside the box and he swept in first time.

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Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had his view blocked by two of his defenders and the ball also went through Rahimi’s legs.

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On 82 minutes, Ounahi was the man in the right place again on the breakaway with another right-footed first-time finish, before Rahimi pounced in the 98th minute.

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AFP

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