Morocco delivered a commanding performance to defeat FIFA World Cup co-host Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 on Saturday, becoming the first team to book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
The Atlas Lions also made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on more than one occasion, following their remarkable run to the last eight at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was the star of the show, scoring twice to put Morocco firmly in control of the contest. The North Africans dominated possession and created the better chances throughout, leaving Canada with little opportunity to mount a comeback.
As Canada pushed forward in search of a consolation, Soufiane Rahimi sealed the emphatic victory with a goal in the final minute of stoppage time, capping off a memorable afternoon for Walid Regragui’s side.
The defeat brought an end to a historic campaign for World Cup co-host Canada, which had reached the knockout stage and claimed its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout victory before falling to the inspired Atlas Lions.
Morocco will now face the winner of Saturday’s Round of 16 clash between France and Paraguay in the quarter-finals, with the match scheduled to take place on Thursday at Boston Stadium.
With another impressive display, the Atlas Lions have reinforced their status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders and continue to carry the hopes of Africa on football’s biggest stage.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
