Morocco march into quarter-finals after thumping co-hosts Canada

by MOHAMED EL KADIRI
CASABLANCA, (CAJ News) – MOROCCO are the first team through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and Canada the first hosts to be eliminated after the encounter between the two ended 3-0 at Houston Stadium on Saturday evening.

By throwing Canada out of their own party, the Moroccans have extended their dominance over their opponents, having prevailed over them over the past four decades.

Going into this match, the two teams had faced each other four times, between 1984 and 2022, with Morocco the dominant side with three victories, while the other match ended in a draw.

It is the second time the Atlas Lions have defeated the Reds in the World Cup, the first being in Qatar in 2022.

In Houston, Azz-Eddine Ounahi ensured the status quo was maintained with a brace in the second half.

His first, in the 50th minute, came after a well-worked set-piece by the Moroccans, culminating in him shooting into the bottom right corner from within the D.

The Spain-based midfielder drove what seemed to be the final nail in the Canadians’ coffin in the 82nd minute after profiting from a counter-attack.

Soufiane Rahimi wrapped up the game deep into injury time after the hosts were again caught having committed too many men forward.

With this result, Morocco are in a good position to reach the semi-finals, a feat they achieved in Qatar.

Coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team will face either France or Paraguay in the last eight on Thursday.

– CAJ News