2026 World Cup: a Morocco with two faces advances to the quarterfinals

A first half split in two and full of tension

The opening act in no way foreshadowed such an attacking festival. Deprived very early of their star Ismael Saibari, who left the field injured as early as the 22nd minute and was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco stuttered in their football. Facing an aggressive Canadian block, fired up by the prospect of impressing its North American crowd, Mohamed Ouahb’s men appeared completely lacking in inspiration.

Physically sluggish and overrun in midfield, the Moroccans spent the first 45 minutes bailing out rather than building. Proof of this nervousness, the Atlas Lions racked up bookings, collecting no fewer than four yellow cards (Halhal, Hakimi, Ounahi and El Khannouss) during a scrappy first half with few chances (just one shot on target, and from distance, in the 28th minute). At halftime, the 0-0 score almost seemed the lesser evil.

The awakening and Ounahi’s masterpiece

But after the break, the transformation was total. Gone was passivity; in its place, bite. Regaining their technical fluidity and verticality, the Moroccans punished Canada with frightening efficiency, converting their rare forays into clinical goals.

The main architect of this revival goes by the name Azzedine Ounahi. From the 50th minute, the midfielder broke the deadlock with his side’s second shot of the match, beating Maxime Crépeau after a back-pass from Hakimi following a free kick. Relieved of the pressure, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists drew on their experience at this level. While Canada tried to push, Ounahi surged again in the 82nd minute to claim a life-saving brace with Morocco’s third shot of the game. Maximum efficiency that definitively dashed the hopes of the home side.

Rahimi puts the finishing touch, France on the horizon

In the closing moments, Canada threw their last energies into the fray, launching an all-out assault. A risky strategy against Morocco’s attack. Deep into stoppage time (90+8), after one last break and the team’s fifth shot, Soufiane Rahimi slotted the ball into the back of the net to definitively seal the score at 3-0.

The final scoreline is a heavy blow for Canada, but it validates the tactical acumen of a Morocco side capable of soaking up pressure before striking like a top team. Thanks to this perfect second half, Achraf Hakimi and his teammates advance to the quarter-finals. They will face, next Thursday in Boston, the winner of the match between France and Paraguay, with the ambition, as always, to make history.