VIDEO: Clinical Morocco ease past Canada 3-0 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Morocco ⁠dispatched a determined Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Saturday as Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and the North Africans ended the record run of the co-hosts while advancing to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.

The scoreline flattered Morocco, who were on the back foot for most of the opening period and failed ⁠to register an attempt on goal until the 28th minute after Canada had spurned a number of solid chances.

Morocco also suffered an early blow when Ismael Saibari, who has scored three goals in the tournament, was forced off due to a hamstring injury and replaced by Soufiane Rahimi in the 22nd minute.

The 2022 semi-finalists struggled as an energised Canada came out aggressively from the opening whistle, pushing forward and pressing as Morocco struggled to click into gear.

It looked like the co-hosts might prolong their fairytale run in the tournament but they paid for ⁠failing to convert their early chances when Morocco snatched the lead five minutes after the restart.

Achraf Hakimi played a low pass from the right-hand side during a well-worked free kick routine to the unmarked Ounahi, who side-footed into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards.

That goal took the air out of a Canada side who had to do without their talisman Alphonso Davies, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout a tournament in which they notched their first point and win at a ⁠World Cup.

Ounahi added a second on 82 minutes when a four-on-two break led to Brahim Diaz teeing the midfielder up to fire into the top corner as Canada got caught out trying to ⁠push forward for the equaliser.

Morocco, who will face the winners of Saturday's round of 16 clash between Paraguay and France in the quarter-finals on July 9, added a late third via another lightning break as substitute ⁠Rahimi crowned a convincing performance.

Reuters