Houston (AFP) – A “proud” Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston. The 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favorites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches.
After a first half littered with more bookings than shots and with Canada on top, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes. Canada — playing the biggest game in their footballing history — pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch’s men. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match.
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“It’s a World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives,” said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi. “We reacted very well in the second half in the second balls and the duels. I have to recognise that Canada were impressive; they played a top match. It was no surprise for us, but in the second half we were able to profit from the space they left us; that was the key.”
The scoreline was tough on Canada, who were the better side until the opening goal in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they sought to extend what was already a historic run. Marsch said, “What a privilege our fans have had to root on a team like this — that goes after the game, does not play defensive. We have to be in these situations more and more and find ways to succeed, and we have to build from that. As good as Morocco are, I’d rather be us. I’m really proud of our guys. We went after the game and they are really hurting right now, but I couldn’t be prouder.”
Canada came into the contest in uncharted territory, having won a World Cup match and then a knockout game for the first time to get to the last 16. They were clear underdogs and their fans were outnumbered by Morocco supporters at the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.
Yet they looked the more confident at the start, Tani Oluwaseyi turning sharply in the box and forcing Morocco’s Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to save with a stretched-out leg after 10 minutes. From Canada’s fourth corner of the half, defender Alistair Johnston failed to make the most of a free header. Morocco were rattled.
After 20 minutes, Ouahbi’s team suffered a big injury blow, Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari — who had scored three times at the tournament — coming off for Rahimi. Immediately after the drinks break, Rahimi had an optimistic attempt from distance, registering Morocco’s first shot on target with a quarter of the game gone.
There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards. Referee Michael Oliver booked six players — four from Morocco — in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goalmouth action. The build-up to the last World Cup game of seven in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, was the highlight until that point.
Morocco, who beat Canada in the group phase at the 2022 World Cup, came out for the second period transformed. Five minutes after the restart, Hakimi pinged a low free-kick to Ounahi unmarked outside the box, and he swept in first time. Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had his view blocked by two of his defenders, and the ball also went through Rahimi’s legs. On 82 minutes, Ounahi was the man in the right place again on the breakaway with another right-footed first-time finish, before Rahimi pounced in the 98th minute.
© 2024 AFP
