Azzedine Ounahi nets brace as Morocco knock co-hosts Canada out of World Cup
Morocco were semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago.
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half as Morocco beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Morocco, semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago, had been second best during the first half as Canadian-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied both Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi early on.
Girona midfielder Ounahi eventually broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart when he swept in a low shot following a well-worked free-kick and then added a late second on the break before Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time to make sure of a place in the last eight against either France or Paraguay.
Canada – with star man Alphonso Davies again on the bench – had started brightly as Jonathan David’s angled effort from an early corner was palmed away by Morocco keeper Bounou, who then produced a fine reaction save after Tani Oluwaseyi had burst into the penalty area.
Morocco – runners-up to Brazil in their group and then having come through a penalty shoot-out against the Netherlands – were forced into a change after 22 minutes when Ismael Saibari, who has just completed a move to Bayern Munich, went off and was replaced by Rahimi.
The Atlas Lions, on an unbeaten run of 33 matches, finally registered an effort on goal shortly after the hydration break, with Rahimi’s long-range shot gathered by Canada keeper Maxime Crepeau.
Having been second best for most of the first half, Morocco broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart when Ounahi swept the ball into the bottom corner after captain Achraf Hakimi had rolled a free-kick from the right to the edge of the Canada penalty area.
Canada, who had progressed through to the knockout stages for the first time, went close when David clipped a free-kick over from the edge of the penalty area before Bounou – born in Montreal, then raised in Casablanca – made another fine save to tip away a dipping long-range effort from Tajon Buchanan.
Morocco avoided any late drama as Ounahi fired home with eight minutes left after being fed by Brahim Diaz following a swift counter attack. Rahimi saw his header crash against the crossbar before then sweeping in a third following another breakaway during stoppage time.
Atlas Lions coach Mohamed Ouahbi felt his team deserved credit for the way they had regrouped at the break.
“It is a World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives. We reacted very well in the second half in the second balls and the duels,” Ouahbi said in quotes on the FIFA website.
“I have to recognise that Canada were impressive – they played a top match. It was no surprise for us, but in the second half we were able to profit from the space they left us and that was the key.”
Canada boss Jesse Marsch felt his squad had given their all in what was a memorable run to the last 16.
“Across the pitch we had 11 incredible performances in the first half. We were unlucky not to get the lead, then it was the fine details,” said Marsch, who confirmed Davies had been troubled by a hamstring problem in training.
“What a privilege our fans have had to root for a team like this that goes after the game. We achieved tremendous success (at the World Cup).
“Of course, we would have liked to be the ones celebrating instead of them, but this is as far as we could go. Now it is time to build further upon what we have accomplished.”