Canada became the first of the World Cup co-hosts to be eliminated after a clinical Morocco secured a 3-0 victory in Houston on Saturday to book their place in the quarter-finals.
The 2022 semi-finalists will face either tournament favourites France or Paraguay as the competition reaches its decisive stages in North America.
After a cagey first half featuring more bookings than shots on target, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart.
Canada — playing the biggest match in their footballing history — pressed hard for an equaliser, but Ounahi struck again late on to extinguish the resistance of Jesse Marsch’s side before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third with the final kick of the game.
The scoreline was harsh on Canada, who had been the better team before the interval in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they chased another historic milestone.
The hosts had already ventured into uncharted territory by winning both a World Cup match and a knockout fixture for the first time to reach the last 16.
Clear underdogs, they were also outnumbered in the stands by Morocco supporters inside the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.
Nevertheless, Canada made the brighter start. Tani Oluwaseyi turned sharply inside the area after 10 minutes and forced Montreal-born Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a smart save with an outstretched leg.
From their fourth corner of the opening half, defender Alistair Johnston was unable to capitalise on a free header as Morocco looked increasingly unsettled.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side suffered a significant setback after 20 minutes when Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari, who had scored three goals during the tournament, was forced off injured and replaced by Rahimi.
Moments after the scheduled drinks break, Rahimi tested Maxime Crepeau from long range to register Morocco’s first shot on target after a subdued opening.
Tempers briefly flared shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Canada defender Richie Laryea exchanged shoves, earning both players yellow cards.
Referee Michael Oliver showed six yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes — four to Morocco players — as a scrappy, foul-filled contest produced little goalmouth action.
The pre-match atmosphere for the last of seven World Cup fixtures in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, had provided more entertainment than the action on the pitch.
Morocco, who defeated Canada in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, emerged a different side after the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Hakimi drilled a low free-kick to an unmarked Ounahi on the edge of the area, and the midfielder swept a first-time finish beyond Crepeau. The Canadian goalkeeper’s view was obscured by two defenders, while the ball also travelled through Rahimi’s legs.
Canada responded positively but struggled to create clear-cut chances as Morocco grew increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack.
With eight minutes remaining, Ounahi finished another swift break with a composed first-time right-footed strike to seal the result before Rahimi capped the victory by slotting home in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
AFP
