Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada on Saturday, becoming the first African nation to qualify for the last eight on more than one occasion.
The Atlas Lions have now reached the quarterfinals in back-to-back World Cups after making history in 2022 by becoming the first African team to advance to the semifinals.
After a goalless first half, Azzedine Ounahi broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. The midfielder latched onto a free-kick delivery from Achraf Hakimi before firing a right-footed effort through a crowded penalty area into the bottom-right corner.
Ounahi completed his brace in the 82nd minute, calmly finishing from the centre of the box after being set up by Brahim Díaz to double Morocco’s lead.
Soufiane Rahimi sealed the emphatic victory deep into stoppage time with Morocco’s third goal of the contest.
The win sends Morocco into the quarterfinals, where they will face the winners of Saturday’s clash between Paraguay and France on Thursday at Boston Stadium.
For Canada, the defeat brought an end to a memorable campaign. The tournament co-hosts had reached the round of 16 after recording their first-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory, defeating South Africa 1-0 in the previous round.
