Morocco continued their remarkable 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16, booking a place in the quarterfinals behind a brilliant second half performance from Azzedine Ounahi.
Ounahi scored twice after halftime as the Atlas Lions overcame an energetic Canadian side to extend their unbeaten streak to 33 matches. Soufiane Rahimi added a stoppage-time goal to seal an emphatic victory that sends Morocco into a quarterfinal showdown against either France or Paraguay.
The result marks another milestone for Morocco, who reached the semifinals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and are once again proving they belong among the tournament’s elite.
Canada, appearing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, started brightly and looked the more dangerous side throughout much of the opening half.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, born in Montreal before being raised in Casablanca, was called into action early against his birthplace. He first denied Jonathan David after a dangerous corner before producing another outstanding reaction save to stop Tani Oluwaseyi, who had burst into the penalty area with a clear sight of goal.
Despite Canada’s attacking pressure, Morocco remained composed defensively while waiting for opportunities to counter.
The Atlas Lions suffered an early setback in the 22nd minute when midfielder Ismael Saibari, fresh off completing a move to Bayern Munich, was forced off through injury. Rahimi entered the match and would ultimately make a major impact.
Morocco struggled to create clear chances for much of the first half, with Rahimi’s long-range strike comfortably gathered by Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
The match changed dramatically after halftime.
Five minutes into the second period, Morocco executed a brilliantly rehearsed set piece. Captain Achraf Hakimi rolled a free kick from the right toward the top of the penalty area, where Ounahi arrived perfectly to sweep a low finish into the bottom corner for the opening goal.
The breakthrough settled Morocco, who began controlling possession and forcing Canada onto the defensive.
Canada continued to search for an equalizer, with David narrowly lifting a free-kick over the crossbar before Tajon Buchanan tested Bounou with a dipping long-range effort. Once again, Morocco’s goalkeeper responded with a spectacular save, tipping the ball over the bar to preserve his clean sheet.
As Canada pushed more players forward in search of a goal, Morocco capitalized on the extra space.
With eight minutes remaining, Brahim Díaz led a swift counterattack before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Ounahi’s path. The midfielder calmly finished into the corner for his second goal of the evening, effectively ending Canada’s hopes of a comeback.
Rahimi nearly added a third moments later when his powerful header rattled the crossbar.
The substitute finally got his reward deep into stoppage time, racing onto another counterattack before coolly finishing past Crépeau to complete the 3-0 scoreline and cap an outstanding Moroccan display.
Although Canada impressed during the opening 45 minutes, their inability to convert early chances proved costly against one of the tournament’s most disciplined teams. The absence of star fullback Alphonso Davies from the starting lineup once again drew attention, as the Canadians were unable to recover after falling behind.
For Morocco, however, the victory reinforces their growing reputation as genuine World Cup contenders. Their defensive organization, clinical finishing, and experience in knockout football were on full display as they secured another memorable result on the world’s biggest stage.
With confidence soaring and an unbeaten run now stretching to 33 matches, the Atlas Lions head into the quarterfinals believing another historic World Cup run is well within reach.
