Morocco End Canada’s World Cup Dream in Ruthless Display to Storm Quarter-Finals

• Morocco produced a dominant second-half performance to beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston, ending the Canadians’ historic World Cup run and booking a place in the quarter-finals.

Morocco have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada, ending the North Americans’ fairytale campaign in front of nearly 69,000 fans in Houston.

The Atlas Lions, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, came alive after the break with midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice before substitute Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory with the final kick of the match.

The result makes Canada the first of the three tournament co-hosts to be eliminated, despite an impressive run that saw them record their first-ever World Cup victory and knockout-stage win.

Canada entered the last-16 clash hoping to continue making history and looked the brighter side during a tightly contested first half.

Striker Tani Oluwaseyi nearly gave the hosts the lead inside 10 minutes after turning sharply in the penalty area, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou reacted brilliantly to deny him with an outstretched leg.

The Canadians continued to pile on the pressure through a series of corner kicks, with defender Alistair Johnston wasting a golden opportunity after finding himself unmarked inside the box.

Morocco, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful chances in the opening period and suffered a setback midway through the half when Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari, who had already scored three goals at the tournament, was forced off through injury.

The first half also saw tempers flare as Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea clashed in an off-the-ball incident, with both players receiving yellow cards. English referee Michael Oliver booked six players in a scrappy opening 45 minutes dominated more by fouls than clear-cut chances.

Morocco emerged from the dressing room looking like a completely different side.

Just five minutes into the second half, Hakimi delivered a clever low free-kick to Ounahi, who arrived unmarked outside the penalty area before sweeping a first-time effort beyond goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to give Morocco the breakthrough.

With Canada pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Morocco exploited the spaces left behind.

Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, finishing another swift counterattack with a composed first-time effort to put the result beyond doubt.

Deep into stoppage time, substitute Rahimi added further gloss to the scoreline by calmly slotting home Morocco’s third goal with the final touch of the match.

The victory sends Morocco into the quarter-finals, where they will face either France or Paraguay as they continue their pursuit of another historic World Cup campaign.

For Canada, the defeat brings an end to what has been their most successful World Cup appearance, with Jesse Marsch’s side leaving the tournament having reached the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history.