Azzedine Ounahi scored a double earlier than Soufiane Rahimi added a 3rd to knock out World Cup co-hosts Canada and ship Morocco into the final eight due to a 3-0 win in Houston.
The Atlas Lions now have the prospect to succeed in back-to-back World Cup semi-finals by beating both France or Paraguay within the subsequent spherical. In 2022, Morocco made historical past as they turned the primary African facet to succeed in the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
In a recreation that noticed extra yellow playing cards (8) than pictures on track (7), Canada regarded the extra prone to take the sport within the early phases with Yassine Bounou the busier of the 2 goalkeepers. Morocco even misplaced their star striker, Ismael Saibari, who needed to come off with an harm after simply 22 minutes performed.
Nonetheless, Ounahi ensured they might not miss Bayern Munich’s newest recruit an excessive amount of, slotting dwelling after being teed up by Achraf Hakimi early within the second half. The Girona ahead’s second was taken with the identical composure as the primary, ending off a speedy counter, this time being arrange by Brahim Diaz.
With Canada trying to maintain their historic run going within the event, Rahimi ended one other Morocco counter, firing previous Maxime Crepeau.
Ought to France beat Paraguay of their last-16 assembly, Morocco can have the prospect to avenge their semi-final defeat from Qatar in Boston on Thursday.
The important thing moments from Houston
6: CHANCE! Bounou denies Jonathan David from shut vary. The ball falls at a decent angle for the Canada ahead within the space. He makes do to fling his left foot at it however Bounou makes himself large and makes the cease.
11: CHANCE! Bounou is named upon to make an enormous cease once more! Neil El Aynaoui’s cross ahead is lax and simply intercepted. The ball is fizzed into Tani Oluwaseyi, who improvises brilliantly with an exquisite flip to idiot Redouane Halhal. He units himself to shoot, however Bounou will get a foot to the ball.
21: Saibari is compelled off with an harm and changed by Soufiane Rahimi.
40: FLASHPOINT! Hakimi and Richie Laryea are each proven yellows after an preliminary push from the Moroccan off the ball turns into a short scuffle involving team-mates.
45+7: YELLOW! Michael Oliver books his fourth Morocco participant as Bilal El Khannouss’ identify is taken. Six yellows are handed out earlier than half-time.
50: GOAL! Ounahi fires within the opener, teed up by a Hakimi set-piece.
82: GOAL! Ounahi doubles his return and the lead, ending off a counter-attack.
85: OFF THE BAR! So practically a Morocco third! Rahimi header slams in opposition to the underside of the bar.
90+8: GOAL! Rahimi will get his objective, slotting dwelling to seal the win.
Evaluation: Take Morocco severely
Ounahi celebrates with team-mates after scoring his second objective
Overlook darkish horses, neglect underdogs – Morocco ought to now be thought-about among the many powerhouses which are in with a sensible shout of profitable the competitors.
You might have sides that you just imagine are higher ready to deal with the toils of the latter phases, however that doesn’t imply we should always not take the now back-to-back quarter-finalists severely.
The Moroccans have proven they will win in several methods. Scoring early and holding on in opposition to Scotland earlier than profitable a battle of attrition in opposition to Haiti. These wins have been earlier than they fought again in opposition to Netherlands and took them to penalties.
Morocco have been among the many sides which are acting at a constant stage, irrespective of the situation or local weather. Sterner checks await, however, on present proof, Morocco seem able to dealing with absolutely anything the World Cup has thrown at them.
Ouahbi: We reacted effectively in second half
Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi:
“It is a World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives. We reacted very well in the second half in the second balls and the duels.
“I’ve to recognise that Canada have been spectacular – they performed a high match. It was no shock for us, however within the second half we have been in a position to revenue from the area they left us and that was the important thing.”
