Canada says goodbye to the 2026 World Cup after being defeated by Morocco
One of the hosts is eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. With a double from Azzedine Ounahi, Morocco beat the Canadian team 0-3
The round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup began. The first duel took place at the Houston Stadium. Morocco beat Canada 0-3 with a double from Azzedine Ounahi and another goal from Soufiane Rahimi. The first host of this World Cup is leaving.
This second qualifying phase began at the Houston Stadium. The duel between Canadians and Moroccans was quite even. In the first half, neither team could hurt themselves. Maxime Crépeau and Yassine Bounou stood firm in their goals.
The first goal of the game would come in the second half of the match. Only five minutes had passed in the complement and Morocco showed they had good laboratory plays.
Achraf Hakimi prepared to take a free kick near the right side. When it was thought that the PSG winger would cross into the area, a prepared play left Azzedine Ounahi completely alone on the edge of the area. With a good finish with his right leg, the Moroccan midfielder made the score 0-1.
With the urgency in the game, Canada had a couple of advances that generated some danger on Yassine Bounou's goal. However, the goalkeeper stood firm between the three posts and made up to three saves before the final ten minutes of the match.
The Canadian need left them spaces in the background. These spaces were very well used by Morocco's rapid transitions. Brahim Díaz's speed complicated the Canadian defense that had to defend in retreat. When it seemed that the play was losing strength inside the area, the Real Madrid footballer left a ball served to Azzedine Ounahi.
Azzedine Ounahi showed very good effectiveness in front of goal. The Girona footballer attempted two shots in the match and scored both goals for Morocco.
With Canada already committed to the attack (on several occasions the goalkeeper came out of his goal to head), Morocco decorated a result with a larger difference. Again on the counterattack and with another assist from Brahim Díaz, Soufiane Rahimi scored the final 0-3.
Morocco's path in the World Cup continues steadily. The African team drew 1-1 with Brazil on the first day; They beat Morocco 0-1 in the second game of the group stage; They beat Haiti 4-2 and beat the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32.