Morocco’s World Cup campaign took a decisive turn on Saturday, as the Atlas Lions dispatched Canada 3‑0 in a commanding last‑16 encounter that left onlookers impressed by both tactical discipline and attacking flair.
The breakthrough came just after the halftime interval, when a meticulously rehearsed free‑kick routine unlocked the Canadian defence and saw Azzedine Ounahi slide the ball past the keeper to open the scoring in the 50th minute.
Ounahi was not done, adding a second goal in the 82nd minute after a swift four‑on‑two break that caught the Canadian backline off guard, coolly finishing a low pass into the net.
The result was sealed in the dying moments of the match when substitute Soufiane Rahimi, introduced late in the second half, latched onto a loose ball and drove it home to make the score 3‑0, underscoring the depth of Morocco’s attacking options.
The victory, however, was marred by an early setback for Morocco’s midfield anchor Ismael Saibari, who was forced off with a hamstring strain in the opening period, a blow that could affect the team’s options moving forward.
Looking Ahead to the Quarter‑Finals
With the win, Morocco now awaits the outcome of the upcoming clash between Paraguay and France, a match that will determine their quarter‑final opponent on July 9. The Atlas Lions have demonstrated resilience and depth, positioning themselves as a formidable contender in the tournament’s latter stages.