Azzedine Ounahi scored a brace as ruthless Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Canada who became the first host nation to go out.
Ounahi opened the scoring for the African champions and 2022 semi-finalists in the 50th minute, doubled the lead in the 82nd before substitute Soufiane Rahimi wrapped up matters in stoppage time.
Morocco were far from glorious but efficient as they posted their fourth victory in a row after an opening 1-1 draw with Brazil and didn’t need additional minutes like in their previous match against the Netherlands which they won on penalties.
In their second straight quarter-final, Morocco face either twice champions France or Germany’s conquerors Paraguay who play later Saturday. France beat Morocco in the semi-finals four years ago.
Canada played with a lot of courage but largely without creating serious danger. They exit after a best performance in only their third participation at the global stage, having gone out in the group stage on the previous two occasions.
The other two host nations are still to play their last 16 matches, with Mexico hosting England at Azteca Stadium on Sunday and the United States up against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
Canada would have also had their first two knock-out matches at home, after playing their group games there, had they won their group but a second-place finish forced them to continue in the US.
They won the first match in California against South Africa before being stopped in Texas where captain Alphonso Davies still not made it into the starting XI in the comeback from injury.
Canada started well and pressed Morocco whose keeper Yassine Bounou had to make crucial early saves against Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi.
The Atlas Lions lost plenty of balls and then also influential Ismael Saibari. The three-time scorer, who signed for German champions Bayern Munich earlier in the week, limped off midway through the half and replaced by Rahimi. The nature of Saibari’s injury was not immediately.
The game became even more physical and tempers also flared as referee Michael Oliver dished out six of his eight yellow cards until the end of the half.
Morocco took the lead completely out of the blue from a set piece five minutes after the restart.
Captain Achraf Hakimi laid a free-kick from the right back to the edge of the penalty area to Ounahi who curled home into the bottom right corner with his right foot.
Canada’s tried to get the equalizer but David’s free-kick went over in the 78th and a minute later Bounou dove to his right to keep out a dangerous effort from Tajon Buchanan.
Morocco then clinched matters on the counter in the 82nd, with Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz setting Ounahi up to smash into the top right corner.
Rahimi headed Ounahi’s cross against the underside of the bar but the third came in the eighth minute of stoppage time on another counter attack when Rahimi slotted past Crepeau off another Diaz feed.
