{"id":39,"date":"2026-07-05T09:46:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T09:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.benencanto.eu\/?p=39"},"modified":"2026-07-05T09:46:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T09:46:47","slug":"morocco-break-canadian-hearts-to-reach-quarters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.benencanto.eu\/?p=39","title":{"rendered":"Morocco break Canadian hearts to reach quarters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HOUSTON: Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston.<\/p>\n

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The 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favourites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches.<\/p>\n

After a first half littered with more bookings than shots, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes.<\/p>\n

Canada \u2014 playing the biggest game in their footballing history \u2014 pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch\u2019s men.<\/p>\n

Substitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match.<\/p>\n

It was tough on Canada, who were the better side in the opening period in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they sought to make more history.<\/p>\n

They came into the contest in uncharted territory, having won a World Cup match and then a knockout game for the first time to get to the last 16.<\/p>\n

They were clear underdogs and their fans were outnumbered by Morocco supporters at the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.<\/p>\n

Yet they looked the more confident at the start, Tani Oluwaseyi turning sharply in the box and forcing Morocco\u2019s Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to save with a stretched-out leg after 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

From Canada\u2019s fourth corner of the half, defender Alistair Johnston failed to make the most of a free header. Morocco were rattled.<\/p>\n

After 20 minutes Mohamed Ouahbi\u2019s team suffered a big injury blow, Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari \u2014 who had scored three times at the tournament \u2014 coming off for Rahimi.<\/p>\n

Immediately after the drinks break Rahimi had a go optimistically from distance, registering Morocco\u2019s first shot on target with a quarter of the game gone.<\/p>\n

There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards.<\/p>\n

Referee Michael Oliver booked six players — four from Morocco \u2014 in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goal-mouth action.<\/p>\n

The build-up to the last World Cup game of seven in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, was the highlight until that point.<\/p>\n

Morocco, who beat Canada in the group phase at the 2022 World Cup, came out for the second period transformed.<\/p>\n

Five minutes after the restart Hakimi pinged a low free-kick to Ounahi unmarked outside the box and he swept in first time.<\/p>\n

Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had his view blocked by two of his defenders and the ball also went through Rahimi\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n

On 82 minutes, Ounahi was the man in the right place again on the breakaway with another right-footed first-time finish, before Rahimi pounced in the 98th minute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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