Canada 0-3 Morocco: Ounahi double powers Morocco into World Cup quarter-finals

How it unfolded

The first half ended goalless as both sides adopted a cautious approach. Morocco controlled possession with 55% but struggled to break down a well-organized Canadian defence. Canada, meanwhile, attempted four shots in the opening period, none of which were on target. The Atlas Lions had two shots, with one testing the goalkeeper, but the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The second half saw a more attacking intent from Morocco. They increased their tempo and began to create chances. Canada, however, continued to compete and registered seven shots in the second half, but only three were on target over the entire match. Morocco's defence, marshalled by a solid backline, limited Canada to few clear openings.

The decisive moments

The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when Azzedine Ounahi scored for Morocco with a composed finish. The goal gave the Atlas Lions the impetus, and they continued to press for a second. Canada sought an equalizer but were caught out in the 82nd minute as Ounahi struck again, this time unleashing a powerful shot from distance that found the back of the net. With Canada pushing forward in stoppage time, Sofyan Rahimi capitalized on a counter-attack to make it 3-0 in the eighth minute of added time. Morocco's efficiency was evident: they had four shots on target from five total attempts. Canada, in contrast, had three shots on goal from 11 attempts, reflecting their inability to convert possession into goals.

What it means

Morocco advances to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, showcasing their clinical finishing and tactical discipline. The Atlas Lions will now face a tough test in the next round, but this victory will boost their confidence. For Canada, the tournament ends with a defeat, but they can be proud of their performance in the round of 16. They pushed a strong Moroccan side and created chances, but ultimately fell short. The lessons learned from this campaign will be valuable for the future.