Morocco booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Key takeaways
- Morocco progressed to the quarter-finals after beating Canada 3-0.
- The Atlas Lions extended their unbeaten run with a controlled display in the knockout round.
- Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to swing the match after a tight first half.
- Canada’s run ended at the Round of 16 despite becoming the first-time team in their history to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
- Morocco’s next opponents will be determined by the outcome of the France vs Paraguay tie.
Morocco’s clinical knock-out progress
Morocco secured their quarter-final berth by defeating the co-hosts, Canada, 3-0 in the World Cup Round of 16. The match followed a tense script early on, with neither side able to break the deadlock by halftime.
As the game opened up after the interval, Morocco found the breakthrough through Azzedine Ounahi. The midfielder scored twice to put the contest beyond Canada’s reach and maintain the Atlas Lions’ unbeaten record throughout the tournament.
Canada’s historic run ends
Canada’s tournament journey came to an end despite a landmark achievement—reaching the knockout stage at a World Cup for the first time in their history. The co-hosts had delivered their strongest showing at the competition to date, but they were ultimately unable to get past a stubborn Moroccan team.
Morocco now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they will face either France or Paraguay as they continue their bid for what could be a defining campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
