Morocco are through to the World Cup quarter-finals after a 3-0 win over Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the result late on, ending the co-hosts’ run in the last 16.
Canada had the stronger early chances, with Yassine Bounou called into important saves, but Morocco stayed in the game despite losing Ismael Saibari to injury midway through the first half. The match was tense and physical, with more yellow cards reported than shots on target.
Ounahi changed the direction of the contest after the interval, first finishing from an Achraf Hakimi setup and later completing a rapid counter-attack assisted by Brahim Diaz. Rahimi, who had come on for Saibari, struck in stoppage time after earlier hitting the bar.
Morocco will next face either France or Paraguay in Boston, with a chance to reach a second consecutive World Cup semi-final. For Canada, the defeat closes a historic home-tournament run, while Morocco’s ability to absorb pressure and punish space makes them a serious quarter-final opponent.
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