Ounahi’s sharp double keeps Morocco in the World Cup

Morocco are into the last eight again, and they did it with a second‑half surge that Canada simply couldn’t live with.

After a first half where Jesse Marsch’s side pressed high, created the better chances and forced Yassine Bounou into multiple stops, the Atlas Lions woke up after the interval and closed the door on the co‑hosts’ World Cup. 

Canada’s early pressure was real. Jonathan David’s angled effort was palmed away by Bounou, and Tani Oluwaseyi spun sharply off Redouane Halhal to go clean through, only for Bounou’s left foot to keep Morocco level.

Tajon Buchanan later forced another save with a dipping long‑range strike. Morocco, runners‑up to Brazil in their group and coming off a penalty shootout win over the Netherlands, looked uncomfortable. 

The setback worsened when Ismael Saibari, Morocco’s leading scorer at this tournament, pulled up after 22 minutes and was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi. Canada kept pushing, feeding off the crowd and their own momentum, but couldn’t turn pressure into a breakthrough.  

Morocco: Hakimi unlocks it, Ounahi takes over

Five minutes into the second half, Morocco finally found clarity. Achraf Hakimi rolled a free‑kick from the right across the edge of the box, where Azzedine Ounahi arrived unmarked and swept a first‑time shot past Maxime Crepeau into the bottom corner. It was Morocco’s first real moment of precision and it changed everything. 

Canada tried to respond. David clipped a free‑kick over the bar, Buchanan tested Bounou again, and Marsch’s side kept pushing numbers forward. Morocco were now settled, compact, and waiting for space to open.

That space arrived in the 82nd minute. Brahim Díaz carried the ball through midfield, delayed his pass perfectly, and slipped Ounahi in. The Girona midfielder took one touch and buried his second of the night high into the net. Morocco had control, and Canada’s run was slipping away. 

Soufiane Rahimi finishes it

Rahimi had already hit the crossbar with a header, but he wasn’t leaving Houston without his moment. Deep into added time — 90+8 — Díaz threaded another pass through Canada’s stretched back line, and Rahimi swept home the third. Clinical, simple, decisive. Morocco had scored three times from counters and set‑piece structure, and Canada had no answer.  

Canada exit as the first co‑hosts to fall at this tournament, but with credit. They reached the knockout rounds for the first time, beat South Africa, and played with intensity throughout. Their first‑half display here was bold, aggressive, and full of intent but they lacked Morocco’s edge in the decisive moments. 

Canada’s run ends, Morocco march on

Morocco, meanwhile, move into their second straight World Cup quarter‑final, becoming the first African nation to reach the last eight more than once. Their semi‑final run in 2022 was no anomaly; this is a side built on structure, nerve and efficiency.

They will face France or Paraguay next in Boston, with a chance to return to the final four.  

Morocco produced just five shots, the fewest by a winning knockout‑round team since records began in 1966, yet scored three. Canada generated similar xG but lacked the finishing touch. Morocco’s experience, defensive calm and counter‑attacking clarity told in every decisive moment.  

Canada leaves with pride, but Morocco leaves with purpose. Another quarter‑final awaits, and another chance to push Africa’s ceiling higher.

Featured image via Maria Lysaker/ Reuters