Ounahi fires Morocco into historic second straight World Cup quarter-final
Published:
Saturday, 04 July 2026
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals more than once after beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston on Saturday
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half before Soufiane Rahimi added a late third as the Atlas Lions ended Canada’s impressive run and moved into the last eight for the second consecutive tournament
Morocco, who became Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalists in Qatar in 2022, will now face either France or Paraguay in Boston on 9 July
For African football, it was another major statement from a Moroccan side that continues to show it can handle the pressure of knockout football
The Atlas Lions were far from comfortable in the first half, but they improved after the break and finished strongly to extend their historic campaign
Canada began the match with energy and belief, backed by the confidence of a team that had already made history by winning World Cup matches for the first time
The co-hosts pressed high, forced Morocco into mistakes and won several early corners
Their best chance came after a loose pass from Morocco’s defence allowed Ali Ahmed to find Tani Oluwaseyi
The Canadian forward turned sharply away from Redouane Halhal and went through on goal, but Yassine Bounou, Morocco’s Canada-born goalkeeper, spread himself well and saved with his left foot
It was a crucial moment for Morocco, who struggled to impose their rhythm during the opening period
Their problems grew in the 22nd minute when Ismael Saibari, their leading scorer at the tournament, was forced off with an apparent muscle injury
Rahimi came on in his place, but Morocco still needed time to settle
Ounahi breaks the game open
The second half brought a very different Morocco
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side played with more control, greater confidence and sharper movement in midfield
The breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute from a clever set-piece routine
Achraf Hakimi played the ball from the right across the edge of the penalty area, where Ounahi arrived near the D and swept a first-time shot past Maxime Crepeau and inside the left post
It was a superb finish and a huge moment for the midfielder, whose first World Cup goal came when Morocco needed inspiration
The goal changed the match
Canada’s intensity dropped, while Morocco grew in authority and began to find more space on the counter-attack
Bounou alert as Morocco take control
Canada tried to respond and Tajon Buchanan tested Bounou with a low drive, but Morocco looked increasingly composed
The Atlas Lions defended with discipline and waited for opportunities to break
Their second goal arrived in the 82nd minute after a quick counter-attack
Brahim Diaz laid the ball off to Ounahi, who drove a powerful shot high into the roof of the net to put Morocco firmly in control
It was a historic brace
Ounahi became the first African player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Senegal’s Henri Camara against Sweden in 2002
It also continued a remarkable personal record, with Morocco having won every match in which Ounahi has scored
Rahimi seals Moroccan statement
Rahimi almost added a third when his header struck the crossbar, but he eventually got his goal deep into stoppage time
Diaz slipped a pass through the Canadian defence, and Rahimi timed his run well before finishing smartly to complete a convincing victory
The scoreline was harsh on Canada, who had started well and contributed to a lively contest, but Morocco’s quality and experience told in the second half
For the co-hosts, the defeat ended a proud World Cup journey that took them to the knockout stage and gave their supporters lasting memories
Morocco carry Africa’s hopes again
Morocco’s victory further strengthens their status as one of Africa’s most reliable World Cup teams
They have now reached back-to-back quarter-finals, something no African nation had previously achieved
Their run in 2022 changed the continent’s belief about what is possible at the World Cup
This campaign is now proving that it was not a one-off
The Atlas Lions have survived difficult moments, beaten strong opponents and shown the maturity required to win knockout matches
With Ounahi producing his best performance of the tournament and Bounou again providing security in goal, Morocco will travel to Boston with belief
The challenge will become even tougher from here
But once again, Morocco are carrying African hopes deep into the World Cup
