Once again, the Atlas Lions rose to the occasion.
Facing a Canadian side making its first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stage, Morocco produced another disciplined, resilient, and cohesive performance to secure a convincing 3-0 victory.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi was forced into one change from his usual starting lineup after Chadi Riad suffered a knee injury against the Netherlands. Redouane Halhal, a 23-year-old center back with four international caps, partnered Issa Diop in central defense.
Inside a packed NRG Stadium in Houston, thousands of Moroccan and Canadian supporters created a festive atmosphere. Moroccan fans filled the stands with chants long before kickoff and maintained their vocal support throughout the match.
Canada starts stronger
The opening round of 16 matches got off to a lively start.
Canada dominated possession from the outset and threatened repeatedly in the opening minutes. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was called into action three times in quick succession, making crucial saves in the fifth, ninth, and 11th minutes to keep Morocco level.
Pinned back in their own half, the Atlas Lions struggled to impose their usual style of play and offered little going forward. Matters became even more complicated when Ismael Saibari picked up an injury and was forced off, with Soufiane Rahimi coming on as his replacement.
Morocco did not register its first shot on target until the 28th minute, when Rahimi’s effort, deflected by a defender, was comfortably collected by Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. It remained Morocco’s only notable chance of a difficult first half.
It was arguably the Atlas Lions’ most challenging 45 minutes of the tournament. Unable to create meaningful attacking opportunities, they owed much to Bounou’s outstanding performance. Frustration also showed, with Halhal, Azzedine Ounahi, Achraf Hakimi, and Bilal El Khannouss all receiving yellow cards.
Morocco turns the game around
Morocco emerged after halftime with renewed purpose.
The Atlas Lions pressed much higher, with Hakimi particularly influential down the right flank. Their improved approach paid off five minutes into the second half.
Following a free kick, Hakimi pulled the ball back for Azzedine Ounahi, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area that gave Crépeau no chance.
The breakthrough transformed Morocco’s performance. Playing with greater confidence and authority, the Atlas Lions began creating regular chances as they looked to extend their lead.
Ouahbi introduced fresh legs in the 63rd minute, replacing El Khannouss and Ayyoub Bouaddi with Sofyan Amrabat and Chemsdine Talbi.
The game then opened up, with both sides pushing forward. Canada nearly equalized in the 80th minute, but Bounou once again came to Morocco’s rescue with an outstanding save to deny Tajon Buchanan.
Rather than retreat, Morocco continued to exploit space on the counterattack.
A flowing move involving Talbi and Brahim Diaz set up Ounahi, who scored his second goal of the match in the 82nd minute to double Morocco’s advantage and effectively put the contest beyond Canada’s reach.
The Atlas Lions remained composed defensively while continuing to threaten on the break. Three minutes later, Rahimi came close to scoring one of the tournament’s standout goals, only to see his powerful header crash against the post.
Ouahbi made two further substitutions, bringing on Marwane Saâdane and Samir El Mourabet for Ounahi and Diop, while Bounou continued to frustrate Canada’s attack with another series of commanding interventions.
Deep into stoppage time (90+8), Morocco sealed the victory.
Released down the left by a perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Diaz, Rahimi raced through on goal before calmly finishing past Crépeau to make it 3-0.
Morocco will face either France or Paraguay in the quarterfinals next Thursday in Boston, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. Morocco time.
For Ouahbi’s side, another determined display has moved them one step closer to extending an already historic World Cup campaign.
La joie des joueurs marocains. AFP
