Morocco became the first team to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in Houston, United States. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, while substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a stoppage-time goal to seal an emphatic win for the Atlas Lions.
Despite coming under early pressure from Canada, Morocco produced a superb second-half performance to secure a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament.
The match began with Canada on the front foot. In the fifth minute, Jonathan David met a header from De Fuzerols and rounded goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but the Moroccan shot-stopper recovered brilliantly to make a crucial save. Six minutes later, Bounou was called into action again, denying Tani Oluwaseyi`s powerful effort after a pass from Ali Ahmed.
Morocco suffered another setback in the 21st minute when the in-form Saibari was forced off with an injury, raising concerns for the African side.
However, the game changed after the break. In the 50th minute, Achraf Hakimi`s clever free-kick found Azzedine Ounahi outside the penalty area, and the midfielder curled a superb right-footed strike into the net to give Morocco a 1-0 lead.
Morocco doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute with a swift counterattack. Talbi carried the ball out from deep before finding Brahim Diaz, who surged down the right flank and delivered a precise pass into the path of Ounahi. Arriving at pace, the midfielder fired home emphatically to complete his brace.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Morocco put the result beyond doubt with another devastating counterattack. Brahim Diaz threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to substitute Soufiane Rahimi, who kept his composure and slotted home to make it 3-0.
The convincing victory ensured Morocco became the first team to secure a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
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