…Dumps co-hosts Canada out 3-0
Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals following a 3-0 thrashing that dumped co-hosts Canada out of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday night.
Azzedine Ounahi’s brilliant double and a late strike from Soufiane Rahimi proved enough to put the Atlas Lions safely into the quarter-finals to face either France or Paraguay.
The win lifts the African representative as the first team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with cohosts Canada exiting the competition.
However, Morocco’s star striker Mohamed Ouahbi’s suffered a major blow after going down with injury that forced him off after 22 minutes, with Rahimi replacing the Bayern Munich-bound forward.
Ounahi’s crisp finish broke the deadlock though and despite the co-host hitting back in the second half, the Girona midfielder doubled his side’s lead.
Morocco then had a third through Rahimi to add some gloss to the scoreline.
Jesse Marsch, Canada coach, described his players as ‘Canadian heroes’ as Jonathan David forced Bono into a fine stop early before Tani Oluwaseyi squandered an excellent chance with Canada pushing Morocco back in Houston.
Alistair Johnston then flashed a header off target with the co-hosts enjoying a dominant start.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side then suffered a major blow with Ismael Saibari going down with injury and the star striker was forced off after 22 minutes, with Soufiane Rahimi coming into the game.
However, Ounahi’s fine finish put Morocco in front early in the second half.
“It certainly hasn’t been a 3-0 game but when it counts Morocco have had the quality that Canada haven’t,” Lucy Ward, the former Leeds striker said.
According to him, the African champions came to the party in the second half. “…look at the celebrations in the crowd! This place comes alive when Morocco score.
“Hard luck for Canada. They gave everything and have done brilliantly to come so far at this World Cup,” Ward said.
