Canada are no match for roaring Atlas Lions!

‘Where did this kid come from?’ asked former Spain coach Luis Enrique when his team was eliminated by Morocco in Qatar 2022. He was referring to Azzedine Ounahi, who had a great tournament but after that, didn’t lived up to high expectations. The midfielder played for Marseille and Panathinaikos before signing for Girona, who got relegated in May. Ounahi was quiet in this tournament so far, but exploded when needed. He stepped up when Morocco’s best player Saibari went down with an injury and secured his team’s place in the quarterfinals with a brace: Canada – Morocco 0-3.

The Atlas Lions are not dark horses since Qatar 2022 when they finished as fourth, but in the quarterfinals, they will face the tournament’s favorites France (unless they lose to Paraguay). Still, they continued their excellent run with a victory against co-hosts Canada, but the final score doesn’t tell the whole story. Morocco didn’t impress and played badly, with only one shot in the first 49 minutes. They allowed Canada to attack them, but in the end, won on experience, better individual quality and off course, Ounahi. It wouldn’t be fair to exclude Morocco’s Bono, as the Atlas Lions goalkeeper was excellent again and removed any danger from his area, weather it was coming from Canada players or his own teammates. With this win, Morocco again proved to be the best African country by far.

The best African team was dreadful in the first half. Moroccans had only one shot on goal, and it was a poor effort from over 20 meters which went straight to the keeper. It happened after half an hour and before that, they allowed Canada to totally control the game. The co-hosts of the World Cup were aggressive and kept Morocco squeezed into their own 16 meters during the first 20 minutes. Their first chance came after just six minutes, but Bono denied Juventus’ David from close range. The best opportunity for Canada during the entire game happened in the 11th minute after a poor pass by El Aynaoui. The ball was fizzed into Oluwaseyi, who improvised brilliantly with a beautiful turn to fool Halhal. He set himself to shoot, but Bono made a great leg-save.

Things went from bad to worse in the 21st minute when Morocco’s best player and new Bayern Munich signing Saibari went down with what appeared to be a thigh injury. He was subbed and Atlas Lions continued to struggle, while Canada couldn’t capitalize on their initiative. Hydration brake didn’t cool players’ heads, on the contrary. Things got heated in the second part of the first half and referee Michael Oliver ended up showing no less than six yellow cards, more than both teams made shots altogether. The first meaningful thing Morocco did since the beginning of the game ended up with a goal. Hakimi, standing over a set-piece from the right, drilled it towards Ounahi on the edge of the box, and the player, totally unmarked made strong shot which went through a sea of hands and into the goal. Morocco moved back into defending a bit more after this goal, waiting for counter attacks from Canada. The hosts had a good chance after a free kick in the 76th minute, but David’s shot went over the bar. Buchanan tried from a distance but Bono was there to make a save again. And then the counter attack came and Diaz and Ounahi finished the job for the second goal. Rahimi, who came in for injured Saibari added the third one deep in injury time.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

Canada - Morocco0-3 (0-0)

/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/

Sunday

00.00: (1.20) France (7.00) Paraguay (19.0)

23.00: (1.90) Brazil (3.90) Norway (4.15)

Monday

03.00: (3.25) Mexico (3.15) England (2.45)

22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)

Tuesday

03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***