Morocco’s… journey to the 2026 World Cup continues, while Canada’s is over. With former Panathinaikos player Azzedine Unai as the absolute star and top scorer, Mohamed Wahbi’s team defeated the Canadians 3-0 at a packed “Houston Stadium” and became the first to secure qualification to the quarterfinals, as they did 4 years ago in Qatar. There, on July 9 in Boston (23:00), they will face the winner of the following match (00:00) between Paraguay and France. 

A classic opportunity for Canada was missed in the 10th minute, with Bonu making a big tackle in a one-on-one with Oluwaseji. Jesse Marsh’s team pressed hard in the first 20 minutes, but still failed to take the lead. As time passed, Morocco equalized the match and the half ended goalless.

The second half was completely different and the Africans’ quick goal contributed to this. Hakimi cleverly executed the free kick with a pass to Unai, who with an excellent shot from outside the area opened the score (1-0) in the 50th minute for Morocco. It was the former Panathinaikos ace’s first goal in the competition, but not his… last!

Canada’s players tried to push for an equalizer, however, they were not particularly threatening towards Bono’s goal. They unfortunately left empty spaces at the back, where the Africans managed to find a second goal in the 82nd minute, again through Unai from an assist by Brahim Diaz, and “locked” the victory and qualification. 

Morocco had a goal against the post with Rahimi in the 85th minute, however, the same player in the 8th minute of injury time managed to score with a place kick and “write” the final 3-0.
  
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Yellow cards: David, Larriea, De Fougerols, Larin – Halal, Hakimi, Unai, El Kanouche
Red cards: –

The compositions of the two teams:

CANADA (Jesse Marsh): Crepeau, Johnston, De Fougerolles, Bobbito, Larriea (78′ Schaffelburg), Sigur (87′ Osorio), Eustaquio, David (78′ Ahmed), Oluwaseji (63′ Larin), Buchanan (87′ Nelson), Ahmed

MOROCCO (Mohamed Wahbi): Bono, Hakimi, Mazraoui, Diop (87′ Saadane), Halal, Bouadi (63′ Amrabat), Unai (87′ Mourabet), El Ainaoui, El Kanoush (63′ Talbi), Saibari (22′ Rahimi), Diaz