Morocco first team into World Cup quarter-finals after 3-0 win over Canada
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and Soufiane Rahimi added a late third as Morocco dispatched Canada 3-0 in Houston to become the first team through to the last eight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Match recap
Canada created the first clear chance in the 10th minute when Oluwaseyi rounded Halhal and forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Bono with his feet. Morocco responded in the 29th minute through Rahimi, whose low shot was comfortably held by Crepeau.
The breakthrough came five minutes after the restart. Achraf Hakimi rolled a free-kick to Ounahi on the edge of the box, and the midfielder curled a precise finish into the net. Canada almost equalised in the 77th minute from a dangerous free-kick, but David fired over the bar.
Morocco secured the result in the 82nd minute. Brahim Diaz carried the ball forward on a counter-attack and fed Ounahi, who slotted home his second. Rahimi added the third deep into stoppage time, capping another rapid break.
- Azzedine Ounahi opens the scoring from a free-kick routine
- Ounahi doubles the lead on a counter-attack
- Soufiane Rahimi scores the third goal
What's next
Morocco will face the winner of Paraguay versus France in the quarter-finals. That tie is scheduled for 9 July at 23:00 local time at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. France, the 2022 runners-up, are heavy favourites against a Paraguay side that eliminated Germany on penalties in the previous round.
Round of 16 bracket
The remaining last-16 ties include a headline Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain on 6 July, Brazil against Erling Haaland's Norway, and hosts Mexico taking on England at the Estadio Azteca. Defending champions Argentina meet Mohamed Salah's Egypt, while the United States face Belgium and Switzerland play Colombia.
Tournament path
If the favourites advance, the quarter-finals could set up a rematch of the 2022 semi-final between France and Morocco, as well as Brazil versus England and Portugal against Belgium. The final is set for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
