Ounahi Brace Sends Morocco to World Cup Quartefinals
(image via CAF Online)
Houston, Texas hosted its final match of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday afternoon with Canada and Morocco battling in the Round of 16. Canada came off a 1-0 win in the Round of 32 against South Africa to get to this match. Morocco outlasted the Netherlands in penalty kicks to keep their tournament alive and advance here to Houston.
This Round of 16 match up was chippy from the start with both teams playing very physical. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was called into action early, coming off his line to make a big save off a Tani Oluwaseyi shot in the 10th minute. Morocco star Ismael Saibari was forced off in the 21st minute with an injury, giving the Atlas Lions a blow. The first half came to an end with six yellow cards given out, four to Morocco.
Morocco came out in the second half and got on the board early to put them in control. After a foul on the ride side of the box earned Luc de Fougerolles a yellow card, Morocco lined up for a free kick. Captain Achraf Hakimi slid the ball to the top of the box for Ozzedine Ounahi to smash a first-time shot into the bottom corner, giving Morocco a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.
Canada had a good look at an equalizer in the 78th minute after winning a free kick just outside the box. The chance went begging, however, with Jonathan David trying to chip his attempt on goal and flying it off target. Just a minute later, Bounou went full stretch to push aside an attempt from Tajon Buchanan.
Canada couldn’t find an equalizer and Morocco but the game to bed in the 82nd minute. The Atlas Lions raced forward with Brahim Diaz who cut in and played across to Ounahi. He once again hit a first-time shot into the bottom corner to bag his brace and put Morocco ahead 2-0.
Morocco made it 3-0 with nearly the final kick of the match. Diaz once again raced away on a counter and played in Soufiane Rahimi. He slotted it home to finish off the match and send the Morocco supporters into celebration.
At the final whistle it was Morocco celebrating the 3-0 victory to advance in the World Cup. Morocco now move on to the quartefinals where they will take on the winner of France vs Paraguay on Thursday in Boston.
With the loss, Canada becomes the first of the three co-hosts eliminated from this World Cup. Mexico and the United States both have Round of 16 matches upcoming, on Sunday and Monday respectively.
