Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup by defeating Canada 3-0 in Houston, a result that both underlined the Atlas Lions’ growing tournament pedigree and ended the co-hosts’ most successful campaign. Azzedine Ounahi’s second-half brace, followed by a late Soufiane Rahimi goal, gave the scoreline a sheen of authority that belied a fiercely contested opening period. The win sends Mohamed Ouahbi’s side, semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago, into a last-eight meeting with the winner of France against Paraguay.

Canada, making their first appearance in a World Cup knockout match, began with intensity and repeatedly tore through Morocco’s midfield. Tani Oluwaseyi was denied by Yassine Bounou’s outstretched leg after 10 minutes, and Alistair Johnston headed over from a corner. Morocco lost Ismael Saibari, their leading scorer in the tournament, to a muscular injury midway through the half, and four of their players were booked as they struggled to contain Canada’s pressing. The Canadian captain Stephen Eustáquio probed and Jonathan David found space, yet the breakthrough never materialised.

The contest pivoted five minutes after the restart. Achraf Hakimi’s low free-kick from the right was met by Ounahi, whose first-time strike from the edge of the box flicked through Rahimi’s legs and past goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Canada pushed for an equaliser — Tajon Buchanan forced a diving save from Bounou — but Morocco’s counterattacks proved decisive. In the 82nd minute, Brahim Díaz drove upfield before teeing up Ounahi to arrow a shot into the top corner. Deep into stoppage time, Díaz freed Rahimi, who slid the ball under Crépeau to complete the scoring.

Viewed from Rabat, the victory marks the second consecutive tournament in which Morocco has reached the last eight — a feat unmatched by any African nation. Their run in 2022 ended against France in the semi-finals; a rematch now looms if Les Bleus overcome Paraguay. For Canada, the exit as co-hosts carries a sting, yet the campaign produced firsts: a win, a point, a knockout-round appearance. Jesse Marsch’s side departed with the respect of a crowd of 68,777 in Texas, and his post-match verdict — “we were better than the number seven team in the world today” — reflected the first-half gap between promise and execution.

Morocco now advances to Boston on 9 July, their defence anchored by Bounou and midfield energised by Ounahi’s unerring finishing. The only cloud on the horizon is the injury to Saibari, who will be assessed before the quarter-final. Should France prevail, the stage is set for a sequel to one of the most compelling stories of the last World Cup.