Co-Hosts Canada Bow Out as Ounahi Brace Sends Morocco Into Quarter-Finals
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco eliminated co-hosts Canada with a commanding 3-0 victory at the NRG Stadium in Houston, sending the Atlas Lions into the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament while ending the hosts' historic run .
Co-Hosts Canada Bow Out as Ounahi Brace Sends Morocco Into Quarter-Finals
Canada, who had captured the hearts of the nation by reaching the Round of 32 for the first time in their history, started the match brightly and were the better side in a fiery first half that saw more yellow cards than shots on target. Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi both tested Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou inside the opening 11 minutes, but the Canadian-born keeper, playing against the country of his birth, was equal to the task.
The Moroccans struggled to find their rhythm in the opening period, with Ismael Saibari, one of their joint-leading scorers at the tournament, forced off with a hamstring injury after just 21 minutes. But Morocco transformed after the break, and the breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute through a cleverly worked free-kick routine.
Achraf Hakimi delivered a pass to the edge of the penalty area, and Ounahi drilled a low strike through a crowded box beyond Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to make it 1-0. The goal completely changed the game script, with Morocco taking control and Canada left chasing the game.
The Atlas Lions sealed their victory in the 82nd minute when Ounahi completed his brace, finishing coolly after Brahim Díaz drove into the Canadian box and set him up for a second goal. Soufiane Rahimi added a third deep into stoppage time, sliding his shot under Crepeau to put the result beyond doubt.
Despite Canada's late pressure, Bounou finished with three saves to keep his clean sheet intact. The defeat ends a remarkable World Cup campaign for Canada, who earned their first-ever points, win, group stage progression, and knockout victory during this tournament.
For Morocco, the victory marks their second consecutive appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals, having become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals in 2022. The Atlas Lions will now face the winner of the France vs Paraguay match in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Boston.
Source: TrendyBeatz
