HOUSTON — Morocco made short work of a spirited Canada side on Saturday, winning 3-0 in the World Cup’s round of 16 and booking their place in the quarter-finals for the second straight tournament.
Despite the comfortable final score, Morocco were far from dominant in the early going. Canada came out with intensity from the opening whistle, pressing high and creating several quality chances while Morocco struggled to find any rhythm. In fact, Morocco did not manage a single shot on goal until the 28th minute.
Things got more complicated for Morocco when midfielder Ismael Saibari, who had tallied three goals in the tournament, went down with a hamstring injury in the 22nd minute and had to be replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.
Canada — co-hosts of the tournament — had kept their fairytale run alive heading into the match, but their inability to finish those early opportunities proved costly. Just five minutes into the second half, Morocco broke the deadlock through a clever free-kick routine. Achraf Hakimi slid a low ball in from the right side, finding a completely open Ounahi, who calmly side-footed it into the bottom corner from about 25 yards out.
That goal deflated the Canadian side, who were already without key player Alphonso Davies, sidelined by fitness troubles throughout a tournament in which Canada recorded their first-ever point and victory at a World Cup.
Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, finishing into the top corner after a swift four-on-two counterattack in which Brahim Diaz set him up perfectly — Canada caught out pushing forward in search of a goal to get back in the match.
Morocco capped off the victory with a third goal late in the match, courtesy of substitute Rahimi, who finished off another fast break to seal a convincing win.
Morocco will now await the outcome of Saturday’s other round of 16 match between Paraguay and France, with the quarter-final scheduled for July 9.
