Morocco Defeat Canada 3–0 to Reach World Cup Quarterfinals

Dragon Media News Desk

Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating co-hosts Canada 3–0.

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and Soufiane Rahimi added another as Morocco secured an impressive victory in their round-of-16 match in Houston, United States, on Saturday.

With the result, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals more than once. The team had previously reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, becoming the first African country to achieve that feat.

Canada produced an attacking performance and placed Morocco under considerable pressure during the first half.

The Canadian players created several scoring opportunities, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a series of excellent saves to keep his team in the match.

Bounou notably denied a dangerous attempt from Tani Oluwaseyi, preventing Canada from taking the lead. The first half ended goalless.

Morocco returned for the second half with greater intensity.

In the 50th minute, Ounahi took advantage of a free-kick pass from Achraf Hakimi and scored an impressive goal from outside the penalty area to give Morocco a 1–0 lead.

As Canada intensified its attacks in search of an equaliser, Morocco maintained defensive discipline and adopted a rapid counterattacking strategy.

In the 82nd minute, Ounahi scored his second goal of the match following a pass from Brahim Diaz, doubling Morocco’s advantage.

Rahimi added a third goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time to complete a commanding 3–0 victory.

Although Canada performed strongly in the first half, it failed to convert its opportunities into goals. Morocco secured the result through disciplined play, effective counterattacks and clinical finishing after the break.

The victory further strengthened Morocco’s record as one of Africa’s most successful teams in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The defeat ended Canada’s campaign on home soil. Canada became the first of the tournament’s three co-hosts, alongside the United States and Mexico, to be eliminated.

Morocco will now face title contenders France for a place in the semifinals.

France defeated Paraguay 1–0 in another round-of-16 match, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the second half.

The quarterfinal between Morocco and France will be a repeat of their semifinal meeting at the 2022 World Cup, when France defeated Morocco.

Having reached the last eight for a second consecutive World Cup, Morocco will seek to avenge that defeat and achieve another historic result against France.