Morocco produced a clinical second-half performance to defeat co-hosts Canada 3-0 and secure a place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup after turning an initially difficult contest into a convincing victory in Houston, Texas.
The Atlas Lions, regarded as one of the tournament’s strong contenders before the competition, weathered a challenging first half as Canada dictated the tempo and forced them onto the back foot.
Canada controlled possession for long spells, threaded passes together and pressed aggressively high up the pitch, making life uncomfortable for the North Africans.
Morocco struggled to settle into their rhythm, conceded four corner kicks and managed only a feeble effort on target during the opening 45 minutes.
Their frustrations were evident as they picked up yellow cards while trying to contain Canada’s relentless pressure.
Despite dominating the first half with energetic runs and sustained attacking play, Canada could not find a way past the Moroccan defence.
Their inability to convert their superiority into goals left the match goalless at the break and proved costly.
Morocco emerged for the second half looking like a transformed side. The Atlas Lions began moving the ball with greater confidence, linked up better in midfield and adopted a counter-attacking approach that repeatedly exposed the spaces left behind by Canada’s attacking ambitions.
Their improvement was rewarded in the 50th minute when Achraf Hakimi delivered a perfectly weighted free kick that found Azzedine Ounahi, who finished calmly to hand Morocco a deserved lead.
The opening goal shifted the momentum completely. Morocco grew in confidence and controlled proceedings while Canada, desperate to restore parity, became increasingly disjointed.
Their attempts to force an equaliser saw them push more players forward, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.
The North Africans took full advantage of those gaps in the 80th minute. A swift counter-attack led by Brahim Diaz split open the Canadian defence before Ounahi applied the finishing touch, completing his brace and putting Morocco firmly in control of the contest.
Canada continued searching for a breakthrough but their attacks lacked composure, with several long balls failing to trouble the Moroccan defence.
Morocco, on the other hand, remained disciplined and continued to threaten every time they broke forward.
The victory was sealed eight minutes into added time when another rapid counter-attack caught Canada exposed. Diaz squared the ball across the face of goal, allowing Soufiane Rahimi to fire a left-footed effort into the net for Morocco’s third goal of the night.
The emphatic victory sends Morocco into the World Cup quarterfinals, where the Atlas Lions will face the winners of the Round of 16 clash between France and Paraguay.
(The Whistler)
