Ounahi fires Morocco into World Cup quarterfinals with 3-0 win over Canada

Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the World Cup Round of 16, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring two goals in the second half. The victory secured Morocco's place in the quarterfinals, making them the first African nation to reach this stage more than once. Ounahi opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a shot from outside the box, and added a second in the 82nd minute after a quick counterattack. Soufiane Rahimi scored the third goal in stoppage time. Canada's loss concluded their historic World Cup run, which included their first-ever knockout round win. Morocco will now face the winner of the Paraguay vs. France match in the quarterfinals.

Morocco defeated World Cup co-host Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 on Saturday, advancing to the quarterfinals. Azzedine Ounahi scored two goals, the first in the 50th minute from a free kick and the second in the 82nd minute, with Soufiane Rahimi adding a third in stoppage time. This victory marks Morocco as the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once, and their second consecutive appearance in this stage. The loss concludes a historic run for Canada, who had won their first-ever knockout round match to reach this stage. Morocco will next face the winner of the Paraguay-France match.

Morocco has once again emerged as the top Arab and African team at the World Cup, drawing comparisons to their successful 2022 squad despite significant squad and managerial changes. While the 2022 team, led by Walid Regragui, relied on experienced players and a defensive tactical approach to reach the semifinals, the current 2026 team has advanced to the Round of 16 with a mix of youth and experience. Critics have noted that the 2026 team has not topped their group as the 2022 team did. The article highlights the tactical differences, with the 2022 team employing a mid-block strategy and focusing on counter-attacks, while the 2026 team appears to have a more offensive approach, influenced by the success of younger Moroccan sides in other tournaments.