Azzedine Ounahi’s second-half brace drove Morocco into the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals as the Round of 16 kicked off with their 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in Houston on Saturday.
Brahim Diaz cued up Soufiane Rahimi for the final goal deep in stoppage time.
Morocco is looking to go one more step than Qatar 2022, when they beat Spain in the Round of 16 and Portugal in the quarterfinals before falling 2-0 to France in the semifinal to make history for CAF.
They may have to do it without star forward Ismael Saibari, the newly-transferred Bayern Munich man who was injured in the first half.
The Canada side led by fiery American boss Jesse Marsch was chasing history outside of their borders after beating South Africa 1-0 in California, but couldn’t turn an 8-4 shot attempts advantage into more than a 0.79 xG total and — more critically — a goal.
Morocco will face Paraguay or France in New England on Thursday, July 9.
Canada vs Morocco final score: 0-3
Azzedine Ounahi 50', 82'; Soufiane Rahimi 90+8'
Morocco will get Paraguay or a rematch with France on July 9.
Morocco with a clinical counter, although a 3v1 break makes the clinic pretty open for business.
Brahim Diaz sets up Soufiane Rahimi for the goal that salts away three points deep in stoppage time.
On the counter.
Brahim Diaz’s pass to Ounahi takes a slight turn but it doesn’t put off the attacker, who slams his shot home in the 82nd minute.
Cyle Larin had already entered and now Jacob Shaffelburg and Promise David are into the game. Still no Alphonso Davies.
Oluwaseyi, Laryea, and Ali Ahmed have all exited.
Still 1-0 to Morocco in the 79th minute.
The second half has started with a game-changing set piece.
Hakimi cuts back his free kick for Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who spin a low ball through traffic and a teammate’s legs to beat Maxime Crepeau.
1-0, 50'
Five shots vs six yellow cards will tell you the story of the half.
Morocco have been frustrated in their attempts to turn possession into attack.
Canada have been a bit sloppy with their passing and will need better to produce more consistent chances.
Achraf Hakimi and Richie Laryea are dueling, and Hakimi’s now shouldered the Canadian to the turf from behind.
Laryea takes exception to this and both players will go in Michael Oliver’s book with yellow cards.
Morocco’s seen a bit of the ball and Noussair Mazraoui continues his find World Cup at the back but the vibes are all with Canada.
A star of the tournament and a new Bayern Munich signing, Ismael Saibiri is a huge part of Morocco’s World Cup and now he’s out of this game.
Soufiane Rahimi will take his place in the attack after an injury.
A turnover springs Tanu Oluwaseyi into the box, and his turn is very smooth.
The Villarreal man’s shot is blocked by the left leg of a splayed Yassine Bounou.
Here we go in Texas! Can Marsch’s men, dressed in black, make the most of their chance against white-clad Morocco?
Starting XI: Bono, Mazraoui, Halhal, Diop, Hakimi, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, B. Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss, Saibari
Sofiane Amrabat and Chemsdine Talbi start on the bench, as does Ayoub El Kaabi who is one goal shy of the Moroccan senior men’s goal record.
Starting XI: Crepeau, Laryea, Bombito, De Fougerolles, Johnston, Ahmed, Eustaquio, Sigur, Buchanan, Oluwaseyi, J. David
Cyle Larin and Alphonso Davies start on the bench, and Jesse Marsch will also have Derek Cornelius, Jonathan Osorio, and Promise David as players to potentially change the game.
Kick off time: 1pm ET Saturday (July 4)
Venue: Houston Stadium
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
