Morocco beat Canada 3-0 as Ounahi fires them into quarter-finals

The pressure came in red waves, with Canada pressing hard and Morocco struggling to escape their own half in the Houston heat. Then Azzedine Ounahi changed the match with one clean strike, and the contest swung decisively. His two second-half goals and Soufiane Rahimi's stoppage-time finish gave Morocco a 3-0 win over Canada. The result made Morocco the first African side to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice.

How Events Unfolded

Canada started with the greater intensity. Despite Alphonso Davies beginning on the bench, Jesse Marsch's side pressed high and repeatedly forced Morocco into uncomfortable moments. Tani Oluwaseyi had an early opening after a turnover, but Yassine Bounou produced a strong save with his feet.

Morocco's problems deepened when Ismael Saibari left injured in the 23rd minute. The midfielder had been one of their leading performers during the tournament, and without him Morocco managed only one touch in the Canadian box before half-time, according to The Guardian's match report.

The game turned in the second half. Achraf Hakimi pulled a free-kick back towards Ounahi, who scored in the 50th minute. Canada continued to chase an equaliser, but Jonathan David sent a free-kick over and Bounou later denied a dipping effort from Tajon Buchanan.

Morocco then punished the space left behind. Brahim Díaz carried the ball into the right side of the box and drew defenders before finding Ounahi for his second in the 82nd minute. Rahimi, who had already hit the crossbar with a header, completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Digging Deeper

The scoreline suggested control, but the match itself was more complicated. Canada created pressure and spent long spells on the front foot, while Morocco were forced to absorb attacks before finding a way to slow the contest down. The difference was conversion: Morocco turned limited opportunities into goals while Canada could not make its strongest spells count.

That ability to change approach has defined Morocco's tournament. Before the match, their tournament form included an unbeaten run of 33 matches in 90 minutes. Under Mohamed Ouahbi, the team has adopted a more progressive attacking style, yet this victory relied on the defensive resilience associated with the side that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

Ouahbi replaced Walid Regragui in February after previously leading Morocco to Under-20 World Cup success. Five months later, Morocco have added another major landmark: no African team had previously reached the men's World Cup quarter-finals twice.

What People Are Saying

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch remained fiercely proud of his team despite the result. His players produced 10 attempts and 0.86 expected goals, while Morocco scored three times from 0.78 expected goals, figures that capture how sharply the match was decided by finishing rather than sustained chance creation.

I'd rather be us than them.

Marsch argued that Canada had attacked the game rather than sitting back. The comment drew attention because Morocco had just won by three goals, but it reflected his focus on the style and ambition his team showed before their finishing deserted them.

Putting It in Perspective

For Morocco, this is more than another knockout win. The Atlas Lions reached the 2022 semi-finals and have now secured a second World Cup quarter-final appearance, giving their current generation another chance to push deep into the tournament.

Ounahi's brace also showed why knockout football can punish even brief losses of control. Canada looked capable of taking the lead early, but once Morocco stopped the initial surge, the spaces grew and the counterattacks became more dangerous. Díaz's role in the second and third goals showed how quickly Morocco could turn defensive survival into decisive attacking moments.

For British viewers following the tournament, Morocco's progress adds another major contender to the closing stages. Their next match will test whether this blend of resistance, speed and ruthless finishing can carry them further.

Looking Ahead

Morocco will face the winner of France and Paraguay in the quarter-finals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday. The immediate fitness question concerns Saibari after his first-half injury, while Ounahi enters the next round after producing the defining performance against Canada.

The route only gets harder from here, but Morocco have already shown two different qualities in this tournament: the ability to play more expansively under Ouahbi and the discipline to survive difficult stretches when an opponent takes control.

FAQ

What was the Canada vs Morocco score?

Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in their World Cup last-16 match in Houston.

Who scored for Morocco against Canada?

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, in the 50th and 82nd minutes, before Soufiane Rahimi added the third in stoppage time.

Why did Canada lose despite starting strongly?

Canada created early pressure but failed to convert its chances. Morocco survived that spell and finished far more efficiently when opportunities arrived.

Who will Morocco play in the World Cup quarter-finals?

Morocco will play the winner of France and Paraguay at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday.

What record did Morocco set with this victory?

Morocco became the first African side to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice, following their run to the 2022 semi-finals.