Ounahi Double Ends Canada’s World Cup Adventure as Morocco Book Quarter Final Berth

Azzedine Ounahi's brace propelled Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals, ending Canada's tournament journey. The Atlas Lions secured a 3-1 victory, marking their second consecutive appearance in the last eight. They will now face the winner of the France-Paraguay tie in Boston on July 9.

Morocco, who made history as Africa's first semi-finalists at Qatar 2022, overcame a slow start with a dominant second-half performance. Canada, a nation that had never won a World Cup match before this tournament, can take pride in reaching the last 16, despite the pain of this defeat.

Canada began the match with impressive energy, pressing high and creating early chances. However, their momentum was disrupted by the apparent muscle injury of leading scorer Ismael Saibari in the 22nd minute. In Saibari's absence, midfielder Ounahi stepped up, opening the scoring shortly after halftime with a well-worked set-piece routine.

Historically, Morocco has a strong record when Ounahi scores, and this match proved no different. The Atlas Lions raised their game, while Canada's intensity waned. Ounahi sealed the victory with a powerful shot into the net from a counter-attack, securing his first World Cup goals and the first brace by an African player in the knockout rounds since 2002. Soufiane Rahimi added a late goal to complete the scoring.

Ounahi was deservedly voted the Superior Player of the Match, capping off an impressive tournament for Morocco. "I think we did an amazing tournament. Until the half-time of this game we were outstanding. Everybody back home should be very proud. We felt we could have won this game especially in the first half. We were on top of them, we were," he stated.

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I think we did an amazing tournament. Until the half-time of this game we were outstanding. Everybody back home should be very proud. We felt we could have won this game especially in the first half. We were on top of them, we were