Those who have followed Morocco since Qatar 2022 were not surprised — but it was breathtaking nonetheless. At NRG Stadium in Houston on Friday, 4 July 2026, the Atlas Lions ended Canada's World Cup with a commanding 3-0 win, courtesy of a brace from Azzedine Ounahi and a late goal from Soufiane Rahimi. Morocco are back in the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time in their history, once again leaving the world in awe. (ESPN)
A tough first half: Canada in control, Morocco hold firm
Canada started the match with energy and purpose. The co-hosts, playing on home soil for the first time in a World Cup, controlled the midfield and created genuine chances. Jonathan David was a constant nuisance in the channels, while Alphonso Davies provided pace and width on the left flank. Morocco's defence, however, kept its shape — the hallmark of this squad since Doha — and the first half ended goalless. (Sky Sports)
Minute 50: Ounahi changes everything
Five minutes into the second half, Achraf Hakimi lit the fuse. Rather than whipping in a direct free kick, Morocco's captain was cleverer: he pulled the ball back to Azzedine Ounahi, who met it on the edge of the penalty area and drove a fierce, precise shot beyond the goalkeeper. 1-0 Morocco, and the balance of the tie shifted instantly. (FIFA)
Minute 82: Ounahi seals it on the counter
As Canada pushed for an equaliser, Morocco punished them on the break. Brahim Díaz sprinted into space and slid the ball into the path of Ounahi, who crashed his effort high into the net in the 82nd minute. 2-0, and the match was effectively over. Ounahi's brace makes him one of the standout individual performers of this round of 16. (ESPN)
Minute 90+8: Rahimi adds the gloss
Deep into stoppage time, Soufiane Rahimi — who had come on as a first-half substitute for the injured Saibari — had the final word. Brahim Díaz provided the assist once more, and Rahimi slid the ball home to make it 3-0 in the 90th minute plus eight. Houston roared. Morocco celebrated. Canada's World Cup was over.
Canada: the first co-host to exit
Canada become the first of the three co-hosts to be eliminated from the 2026 edition. Their tournament was a genuine coming-of-age story for Canadian football — emotional home crowds, competitive performances and a Jonathan David who raised his level on the biggest stage. But Morocco, patient and destructive when the moment came, were simply a step ahead.
Morocco into the quarter-finals: who awaits?
Morocco now turn their attention to a quarter-final opponents confirmed by results elsewhere: France, who beat Paraguay 1-0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty. A heavyweight clash between the Atlas Lions and Les Bleus — with the memory of the Qatar 2022 semi-final hanging over both camps — awaits. The last eight of the 2026 World Cup just became even harder to predict.
Follow Malaab Al-An for complete coverage of Morocco's quarter-final campaign and every remaining World Cup 2026 tie.