Morocco cruise past Canada as Ounahi pulls the strings in 3–0 win
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10/09/2026Morocco cruise past Canada as Ounahi pulls the strings in 3–0 win
Morocco are through to the World Championship quarterfinals after a 3-0 win over Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Round of 16 tie was goalless at halftime, then flipped on its head by Azzedine Ounahi’s brace and a late Soufiane Rahimi finish. With 68,777 in attendance and Michael Oliver in charge, the Atlas Lions were compact, clinical and ruthless when chances came. Achraf Hakimi teed up the opener. Brahim Díaz supplied two assists off the bench and from open play. Yassine Bounou handled the aerial traffic and made three saves. Canada matched Morocco physically, carried long spells of second-half pressure and loaded the box on set pieces. But the key numbers reveal why the scoreline landed where it did.
Scoreline and key moments
It took until minute 50 for the match to break open. Hakimi surged down the right and slipped a pass inside for Ounahi, who finished with his right to make it 1-0. Canada pushed in response and kept piling on corners, but Morocco’s back line won the decisive duels. In the 82nd minute, Díaz threaded another precise ball into Ounahi, and the midfielder guided in his second of the night. Stoppage time brought the exclamation point, as Díaz combined again and Rahimi converted left-footed from inside the area for 3-0. Canada’s best first-half look fell to Tani Oluwaseyi, who worked the keeper but could not beat him. In the second half Jayden Nelson and Jacob Shaffelburg added width, yet the final touch stayed out of reach. Morocco managed the clock with smart fouls, clearances and changes in the final minutes. Eight minutes of added time in the second half did nothing to dent a well-managed lead.
The match stayed chippy but controlled. Oliver booked four Canadians and four Moroccans across both halves as duels stacked up. The first half ended 0-0 after six minutes of stoppage time, yet Morocco had already found their rhythm in build-up down the right. From there, the knockout pedigree showed in both boxes: few chances conceded, and three created that really mattered.
Why the stats say 3-0
Canada led several volume metrics but Morocco bossed the chances that decide ties. Canada out-shot Morocco 11-5 and had more touches in the penalty area at 32-10. They also enjoyed an avalanche of corners at 11-1 and hit 29 crosses, eight of them accurate. Yet shots on target told a different story: Morocco hit four on frame to Canada’s three, and turned those four into three goals. Morocco also created more big chances, 3 to 1, and scored two of them. Expected goals were close, with Canada at 0.86 and Morocco at 0.77, which underlines how clinical the Atlas Lions were when they arrived in prime locations.
Defending explains the rest. Morocco recorded 51 clearances to Canada’s 10 and won 75% of their tackles overall, peaking at a perfect 5/5 in the second half. They edged the duels share 53% to 47%, including 56% in the air, which blunted Canada’s set-piece push. Bounou added three saves, two high claims and three punches, with 0.66 goals prevented, steadying a defense that sat deep, reset often and refused second balls. On the Canadian side, Maxime Crépeau finished with -0.87 goals prevented on just one save, a sign of how well Morocco’s finishes were placed. Morocco also owned ball security at the back, completing 389 accurate passes from 472 overall, and kept Canada to low-quality looks despite the pressure.
Final-third patterns tell the same tale. Canada logged 57 final-third entries to Morocco’s 37 and a 64% final-third phase success rate. But Morocco’s direct entries found the right receivers at the right moments, aided by calm outlets and strong hold-up play. Once ahead, the visitors leaned into structure and game-state, trading field position for defensive control and transition bites.
Game plans and adjustments
Formations set the stage. Canada lined up in a 4-4-2 that looked aggressive in wide areas, with Stephen Eustaquio stepping on the ball and fullbacks pushing. Morocco’s 4-2-3-1 balanced Hakimi’s raids with a solid double pivot, then shifted into a compact 4-4-2 block out of possession. The early turning point was enforced: Ismael Saibari exited injured on 22 minutes, and Soufiane Rahimi came on to stretch the line. That change paid off late when tired legs met fresh runs. At 0-0, Canada’s best moments came from balls into the box, but Morocco’s center-backs kept winning the first contact.
The 63rd-minute triple switch from Morocco added fresh energy in midfield and wide areas. Sofyan Amrabat stabilized the center, Chemsdine Talbi helped on the flank, and they protected the lanes that Díaz loves to slip passes through. For Canada, Cyle Larin arrived on 63 minutes to partner Jonathan David, looking to turn territory into shots, then Promise David and Shaffelburg followed on 78 to chase the game. Nelson and Osorio entered on 87 to keep deliveries coming. Morocco answered late with defensive subs, including Marwane Saadane and Samir El Mourabet at 87 to close the door. In total, the visitors’ changes preserved the shape and the clean sheet while keeping a threat in behind. Tactically, the second half was Canada’s in possession at 57%, but Morocco’s in moments.
MVP: Azzedine Ounahi (9.1 Sofascore Rating)
Azzedine Ounahi was the difference maker and the deserved player of the match. He posted a 9.1 Sofascore Rating with two goals from two shots, both on target. Beyond the finishing, he connected play cleanly, completing 33 of 42 passes, including 11 in the opposition half. He also produced one key pass and created a big chance, showing he was more than a late runner into the box. Four fouls won, three clearances and two ball recoveries added balance to a complete midfield display. His ball-carrying was a standout feature, logging 146.26 meters carried overall and 42.62 meters of progressive carries. The post-shot numbers back the eye test too: 1.4309 expected goals on target shows how well he placed his finishes. In a game of thin margins, Ounahi turned thin into thick on the scoreboard.
Around him, the supporting cast hit the right notes. Brahim Díaz delivered two assists and two key passes, pulling strings between the lines. Achraf Hakimi created the opener, won two tackles and captained the defensive intensity on the right. At the back, Noussair Mazraoui (7.9) stacked up 10 clearances and won 11 duels, while Issa Diop (7.5) added 10 clearances and 69 of 75 passes completed. And when Canada finally broke through the first line, Bono (7.7) dealt with the rest, cleanly and without fuss.
Other standouts and Canada’s push
Stephen Eustaquio led Canada with a 7.4 Sofascore Rating, and his numbers told the story of their intent. He made 64 passes, swung in 10 crosses with four accurate and created three chances. Tani Oluwaseyi was lively in his 63 minutes, recording 0.35 xG, two shots and a big chance that went missing. Ali Ahmed contributed four tackles, one interception and a key pass before substitution. From the bench, Shaffelburg and Nelson injected pace and service on the flanks, combining for three crosses completed and two chances created. Canada’s set-piece and wide attack generated volume but found a wall of red shirts in the box.
Morocco’s defensive group earned its flowers. Beyond the headline clearances and duel wins, Redouane Halhal posted 63/66 passing with six recoveries, steadying the left. Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi shared the workload in midfield, combining for 75 accurate passes and strong defensive reads. Chemsdine Talbi came on and won two tackles, while Saadane’s late cameos in the air helped preserve the shutout. The collective discipline is what kept Canada’s 11 corners and 32 touches in the box from turning into more serious danger. As a unit, the Atlas Lions managed risk and punished space when it opened, a knockout recipe that travels well.
Morocco advance with a clinical, grown-up performance built on defensive control and ruthless finishing. Canada exit after a brave push that carried more territory than threat in the areas that count. For the full statistical breakdown, player heatmaps and every Sofascore Rating, visit the match page on Sofascore. This one was decided in both boxes, and Morocco owned them.
Mundial
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Morocco are through to the World Championship quarterfinals after a 3-0 win over Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Round of 16 tie was goalless at halftime, then flipped on its head by Azzedine Ounahi’s brace and a late Soufiane Rahimi finish. With 68,777 in attendance and Michael Oliver in charge, the Atlas Lions were compact, clinical and ruthless when chances came. Achraf Hakimi teed up the opener. Brahim Díaz supplied two assists off the bench and from open play. Yassine Bounou handled the aerial traffic and made three saves. Canada matched Morocco physically, carried long spells of second-half pressure and loaded the box on set pieces. But the key numbers reveal why the scoreline landed where it did.
Scoreline and key moments
It took until minute 50 for the match to break open. Hakimi surged down the right and slipped a pass inside for Ounahi, who finished with his right to make it 1-0. Canada pushed in response and kept piling on corners, but Morocco’s back line won the decisive duels. In the 82nd minute, Díaz threaded another precise ball into Ounahi, and the midfielder guided in his second of the night. Stoppage time brought the exclamation point, as Díaz combined again and Rahimi converted left-footed from inside the area for 3-0. Canada’s best first-half look fell to Tani Oluwaseyi, who worked the keeper but could not beat him. In the second half Jayden Nelson and Jacob Shaffelburg added width, yet the final touch stayed out of reach. Morocco managed the clock with smart fouls, clearances and changes in the final minutes. Eight minutes of added time in the second half did nothing to dent a well-managed lead.
The match stayed chippy but controlled. Oliver booked four Canadians and four Moroccans across both halves as duels stacked up. The first half ended 0-0 after six minutes of stoppage time, yet Morocco had already found their rhythm in build-up down the right. From there, the knockout pedigree showed in both boxes: few chances conceded, and three created that really mattered.
Why the stats say 3-0
Canada led several volume metrics but Morocco bossed the chances that decide ties. Canada out-shot Morocco 11-5 and had more touches in the penalty area at 32-10. They also enjoyed an avalanche of corners at 11-1 and hit 29 crosses, eight of them accurate. Yet shots on target told a different story: Morocco hit four on frame to Canada’s three, and turned those four into three goals. Morocco also created more big chances, 3 to 1, and scored two of them. Expected goals were close, with Canada at 0.86 and Morocco at 0.77, which underlines how clinical the Atlas Lions were when they arrived in prime locations.
Defending explains the rest. Morocco recorded 51 clearances to Canada’s 10 and won 75% of their tackles overall, peaking at a perfect 5/5 in the second half. They edged the duels share 53% to 47%, including 56% in the air, which blunted Canada’s set-piece push. Bounou added three saves, two high claims and three punches, with 0.66 goals prevented, steadying a defense that sat deep, reset often and refused second balls. On the Canadian side, Maxime Crépeau finished with -0.87 goals prevented on just one save, a sign of how well Morocco’s finishes were placed. Morocco also owned ball security at the back, completing 389 accurate passes from 472 overall, and kept Canada to low-quality looks despite the pressure.
Final-third patterns tell the same tale. Canada logged 57 final-third entries to Morocco’s 37 and a 64% final-third phase success rate. But Morocco’s direct entries found the right receivers at the right moments, aided by calm outlets and strong hold-up play. Once ahead, the visitors leaned into structure and game-state, trading field position for defensive control and transition bites.
Game plans and adjustments
Formations set the stage. Canada lined up in a 4-4-2 that looked aggressive in wide areas, with Stephen Eustaquio stepping on the ball and fullbacks pushing. Morocco’s 4-2-3-1 balanced Hakimi’s raids with a solid double pivot, then shifted into a compact 4-4-2 block out of possession. The early turning point was enforced: Ismael Saibari exited injured on 22 minutes, and Soufiane Rahimi came on to stretch the line. That change paid off late when tired legs met fresh runs. At 0-0, Canada’s best moments came from balls into the box, but Morocco’s center-backs kept winning the first contact.
The 63rd-minute triple switch from Morocco added fresh energy in midfield and wide areas. Sofyan Amrabat stabilized the center, Chemsdine Talbi helped on the flank, and they protected the lanes that Díaz loves to slip passes through. For Canada, Cyle Larin arrived on 63 minutes to partner Jonathan David, looking to turn territory into shots, then Promise David and Shaffelburg followed on 78 to chase the game. Nelson and Osorio entered on 87 to keep deliveries coming. Morocco answered late with defensive subs, including Marwane Saadane and Samir El Mourabet at 87 to close the door. In total, the visitors’ changes preserved the shape and the clean sheet while keeping a threat in behind. Tactically, the second half was Canada’s in possession at 57%, but Morocco’s in moments.
MVP: Azzedine Ounahi (9.1 Sofascore Rating)
Azzedine Ounahi was the difference maker and the deserved player of the match. He posted a 9.1 Sofascore Rating with two goals from two shots, both on target. Beyond the finishing, he connected play cleanly, completing 33 of 42 passes, including 11 in the opposition half. He also produced one key pass and created a big chance, showing he was more than a late runner into the box. Four fouls won, three clearances and two ball recoveries added balance to a complete midfield display. His ball-carrying was a standout feature, logging 146.26 meters carried overall and 42.62 meters of progressive carries. The post-shot numbers back the eye test too: 1.4309 expected goals on target shows how well he placed his finishes. In a game of thin margins, Ounahi turned thin into thick on the scoreboard.
Around him, the supporting cast hit the right notes. Brahim Díaz delivered two assists and two key passes, pulling strings between the lines. Achraf Hakimi created the opener, won two tackles and captained the defensive intensity on the right. At the back, Noussair Mazraoui (7.9) stacked up 10 clearances and won 11 duels, while Issa Diop (7.5) added 10 clearances and 69 of 75 passes completed. And when Canada finally broke through the first line, Bono (7.7) dealt with the rest, cleanly and without fuss.
Other standouts and Canada’s push
Stephen Eustaquio led Canada with a 7.4 Sofascore Rating, and his numbers told the story of their intent. He made 64 passes, swung in 10 crosses with four accurate and created three chances. Tani Oluwaseyi was lively in his 63 minutes, recording 0.35 xG, two shots and a big chance that went missing. Ali Ahmed contributed four tackles, one interception and a key pass before substitution. From the bench, Shaffelburg and Nelson injected pace and service on the flanks, combining for three crosses completed and two chances created. Canada’s set-piece and wide attack generated volume but found a wall of red shirts in the box.
Morocco’s defensive group earned its flowers. Beyond the headline clearances and duel wins, Redouane Halhal posted 63/66 passing with six recoveries, steadying the left. Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi shared the workload in midfield, combining for 75 accurate passes and strong defensive reads. Chemsdine Talbi came on and won two tackles, while Saadane’s late cameos in the air helped preserve the shutout. The collective discipline is what kept Canada’s 11 corners and 32 touches in the box from turning into more serious danger. As a unit, the Atlas Lions managed risk and punished space when it opened, a knockout recipe that travels well.
Morocco advance with a clinical, grown-up performance built on defensive control and ruthless finishing. Canada exit after a brave push that carried more territory than threat in the areas that count. For the full statistical breakdown, player heatmaps and every Sofascore Rating, visit the match page on Sofascore. This one was decided in both boxes, and Morocco owned them.