Morocco are through to the quarter-final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a disciplined and clinical 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada, secured by a second-half brace from Azzedine Ounahi and a strike from Soufiane Rahimi.
Canada made a lively start and almost struck early when Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi controlled a pass inside the penalty area and attempted to finish, but Morocco goalkeeper Bono was alert and gathered the effort comfortably.
Morocco were then forced into an early setback in the first half when Ismael Saibari went off injured, with Soufiane Rahimi introduced in an unplanned substitution to adjust the attack.
After a tight and cagey opening period, Morocco eventually broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Azzedine Ounahi found space on the edge of the box and fired a low effort into the bottom right corner after being set up by Achraf Hakimi, giving the Atlas Lions the lead.
The goal shifted the rhythm of the contest, with Morocco growing in confidence and controlling key phases of play while Canada struggled to respond with clear chances.
Morocco then sealed their place in the last eight in the 82nd minute when Brahim DÃaz played a simple square pass into Ounahi inside the area. The midfielder showed composure before smashing his second goal of the night into the top right corner, putting the result beyond doubt.
Soufiane Rahimi came close to adding a third late on when he met a superb cross with a powerful header that struck the crossbar, denying Morocco an even more emphatic scoreline.
Then, in injury time, Rahimi finally had his say with a sublime finish to seal a convincing 3-0 win for the Atlas Lions.
Following the win, Morocco advance to the quarter-finals where they will face the winner of the Round of 16 tie between Paraguay and France.
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