Ounahi stars as Morocco beat Canada 3-0 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals

Canada 0-3 Morocco

Goal! Morocco extend their lead to 3-0 through Soufiane Rahimi. A fine assist from Brahim Díaz unlocks the Canadian defence, as Rahimi finishes clinically to put Morocco firmly in control at 3-0.

Eight minutes have been added on as Canada push bodies forward in search of a late breakthrough. The Canadians are throwing everything at it, but Morocco remain compact and disciplined at the back, holding firm as they edge closer to victory.

85' OFF THE POST! Morocco come so close again! Azzedine Ounahi floats a clever ball into the Canada box and Soufiane Rahimi rises highest to meet it. His looping header looks destined for the top corner, but it crashes off the crossbar and drops dangerously in front of Maxime Crépeau, who breathes a huge sigh of relief as Canada survive.

A devastating counter-attack puts Morocco in complete control. Brahim Díaz leads the break before unselfishly laying the ball back into the path of Azzedine Ounahi, who calmly slots his finish past Maxime Crépeau to grab his second goal of the night and make it 2-0 to the Atlas Lions.

Canada come agonisingly close to an equaliser. Tajon Buchanan drives powerfully towards goal, but Yassine Bounou produces a superb save to push the effort behind for a corner. Morocco clear the resulting set-piece, but the pressure is mounting as the Atlas Lions are being forced deeper into their own half.

Canada win a dangerous free-kick just inches outside the penalty area after Stephen Eustáquio is brought down by Sofyan Amrabat. Jonathan David steps up, but his effort sails over the crossbar, letting Morocco off the hook after another threatening spell from the Canadians.

67' Cyle Larin (Canada): Cyle Larin goes into the referee's book after a late challenge on Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou

The Atlas Lions are enjoying a sustained spell of pressure. Brahim Díaz latches onto a long aerial ball and drives into the box, but his cutback is intercepted by a Canadian defender. Moments later, Sofyan Amrabat attempts a defence-splitting pass for Azzedine Ounahi, but the ball runs just beyond his reach, allowing Canada to recover possession.

Canada have responded positively to conceding, pushing more bodies forward and increasing the pressure as they look to find a quick equaliser against a disciplined Moroccan defence.

Azzedine Ounahi Strikes! A brilliantly worked free-kick gives Morocco the breakthrough. Achraf Hakimi delivers a clever low pass from the right into the path of Azzedine Ounahi, who meets it first time from just outside the box and fires a low drive through a crowded penalty area and beyond Maxime Crépeau into the bottom corner. Morocco take the lead early in the second half.

The Canadians win possession in midfield and launch another quick attack. The move ends with Luc de Fougerolles trying his luck from distance, but his effort sails wide of the target.

Canada 0-0 Morocco

After six minutes of added time, the referee blows for half-time with the score locked at 0-0. Canada enjoyed the brighter start and created the better chances, while Morocco gradually grew into the contest. Tempers flared late in the half, with four players shown yellow cards, but neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval.

The referee reaches for his pocket once again as Azzedine Ounahi is shown a yellow card for a late tackle. Tempers are beginning to boil with bookings piling up just before half-time.

Jonathan David becomes the second Canadian player to be booked after catching Brahim Díaz with a late challenge. 

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is booked for a needless shove on Richie Laryea off the ball, sparking a brief confrontation between the pair. Laryea is also shown a yellow card for his reaction as the referee steps in to calm the situation.

The Canadians swing the momentum back in their favour, winning a corner before following it up with a long throw, repeatedly launching the ball into Morocco's penalty area in search of an opening.

The Atlas Lions are beginning to find their rhythm, enjoying more possession and moving the ball with greater confidence as they look to test Canada's defence.

Morocco create their first opening after winning possession in midfield. The ball is worked to substitute Soufiane Rahimi, whose shot takes a deflection off a Canadian defender before bouncing comfortably into the hands of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

Hydration Break

22' Blow for Morocco! Ismael Saibari's afternoon comes to an early end after picking up an injury. Soufiane Rahimi is introduced as an early substitute in a setback for the Atlas Lions.

Halhal goes into the referee's book after bringing down his opponent with a late challenge, handing Canada a free-kick in a promising area.

Stephen Eustáquio swings in a teasing corner that finds Jonathan David inside the box, but the striker can't generate enough power with his header, allowing Morocco to deal with it comfortably.

It is total dominance from Canada so far! They are in complete control, boasting mammoth possession and already registering three shots, two of them right on target. The Moroccan defence is being picked apart with ease right now!

Oluwaseyi shows brilliant composure to cushion the ball with his first touch, spin away from his marker, and unleash a powerful strike. But Bounou is equal to it, pulling off a fantastic save to deny him! What a breathless, frantic start to this match!

Canada has come out flying! They are playing some incredibly aggressive football here, already forcing two corners and looking dangerous every time they push forward. The opposition is firmly on the back foot!

4' – Corner for Canada... it's swung in and cleared by the defense, but only as far as a Canadian shirt! The ball is quickly worked into the path of Jonathan David he takes the strike at a charging goalkeeper... corner!

2' A cagey start to the contest. Morocco patiently build from the back, while Canada push high and apply early pressure in an attempt to force a mistake.

Canada take the kick-off, but the referee quickly halts play and signals for a retake.

The action is underway in Houston as Canada and Morocco battle for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals

The Opta supercomputer backs Morocco as the favourites to progress, giving the Atlas Lions a 52.7% chance of winning in regulation time. Canada, meanwhile, have been assigned a 21.7% probability of securing victory within 90 minutes. The model also predicts a 25.6% chance that the Round of 16 contest will remain level after regulation time and require extra time to determine the winner.

Yassine Bounou (GK); Achraf Hakimi (C), Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal; Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi; Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Díaz; Ismael Saibari.

Maxime Crépeau (GK); Alistair Johnston, Moïse Bombito, Luc de Fougerolles, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Niko Sigur, Stephen Eustáquio (C), Ali Ahmed; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.

Canada and Morocco have met four times in men's international football.
Matches: 4
Morocco wins: 3
Draws: 1
Canada wins: 0
The two sides last met at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage.

Morocco have once again demonstrated their trademark resilience at the FIFA World Cup, battling through a challenging group before producing one of the biggest upsets of the Round of 32. The Atlas Lions held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw, with Issa Diop cancelling out Cody Gakpo's opener, before keeping their composure to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory in the penalty shootout and book their place in the Round of 16.

Canada have enjoyed a breakthrough FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign under Jesse Marsch, reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history. After an impressive group-stage performance, the Canadians secured their place in the Round of 32, where they edged South Africa 1-0 thanks to Stephen Eustáquio's dramatic late winner to book a historic spot in the Round of 16.

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Morocco | 6:00 PM (Morocco Standard Time - WEST)beIN SPORTS, SNRT / Al Aoula
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