Round of 16 • Match 89 — Canada 0–3 Morocco
2026-07-04 • 13:00:00 • Houston Stadium / NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas • FIFA World Cup 2026
Morocco produced one of the cleanest knockout performances of their campaign, beating Canada 3–0 in Houston to move into the next round. Canada competed with physical intensity and generated volume from wide areas, but Morocco managed the decisive moments better, defended their box with discipline, and punished transition spaces in the second half.
The first half was tense and physical, with Canada pushing through Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, Richie Laryea and Stephen Eustáquio, while Morocco waited for Brahim Díaz and Azzedine Ounahi to find pockets between the lines. Morocco’s breakthrough came shortly after the restart, when Ounahi scored in the 50th minute. That goal changed the match state: Canada had to chase, while Morocco could protect central spaces and counter with more purpose.
Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, confirming his influence on the tie and giving Morocco control of the closing stages. Canada threw on Cyle Larin, Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, Jonathan Osorio and Jayden Nelson to add direct running and box presence, but Yassine Bounou and the Moroccan back line resisted the pressure. In stoppage time, Morocco sealed the result through Soufiane Rahimi, who finished a fast break in the 90+8th minute from a Brahim Díaz assist.
FIFA’s official statistics showed a balanced possession picture, with Canada at 42%, Morocco at 45%, and 13% listed as in contest. Canada attempted 10 shots and won 11 corners, but Morocco were sharper: four of their five attempts hit the target, and all three goals came from high-quality attacking actions. Morocco completed 409 of 505 passes, while Canada completed 277 of 361.
ESPN listed the match at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with 68,777 in attendance and Michael Oliver as referee. The scoreline reflected Morocco’s efficiency and Canada’s frustration: Canada had territory, set pieces and effort, but Morocco had the finishing, game management and knockout maturity.
Final Score
- Canada: 0
- Morocco: 3
- Status: Full time
Goals
- 50’ — Morocco: Azzedine Ounahi
- 82’ — Morocco: Azzedine Ounahi
- 90+8’ — Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi, assisted by Brahim Díaz
Cards and Key Events
- 22’ — Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi replaced Ismael Saibari
- 50’ — Morocco: Azzedine Ounahi scored
- 63’ — Canada: Cyle Larin replaced Tani Oluwaseyi
- 63’ — Morocco: Sofyan Amrabat replaced Ayyoub Bouaddi
- 63’ — Morocco: Chemsdine Talbi replaced Bilal El Khannouss
- 78’ — Canada: Jacob Shaffelburg replaced Richie Laryea
- 78’ — Canada: Promise David replaced Ali Ahmed
- 82’ — Morocco: Azzedine Ounahi scored
- 87’ — Canada: Jonathan Osorio replaced Niko Sigur
- 87’ — Canada: Jayden Nelson replaced Tajon Buchanan
- 87’ — Morocco: Samir El Mourabet replaced Azzedine Ounahi
- 87’ — Morocco: Marwane Saadane replaced Issa Diop
- 90+8’ — Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi scored, assisted by Brahim Díaz
- 90+10’ — Full time: Canada 0–3 Morocco
Key Statistics
- Possession: Canada 42% — Morocco 45% with 13% in contest
- Total attempts: Canada 10 — Morocco 5
- Shots on target: Canada 3 — Morocco 4
- Shots off target: Canada 2 — Morocco 1
- Attempts inside penalty area: Canada 6 — Morocco 3
- Attempts outside penalty area: Canada 4 — Morocco 2
- Assists: Canada 0 — Morocco 3
- Passes: Canada 361 — Morocco 505
- Passes completed: Canada 277 — Morocco 409
- Crosses: Canada 23 — Morocco 6
- Crosses completed: Canada 3 — Morocco 3
- Corners: Canada 11 — Morocco 1
- Free kicks: Canada 17 — Morocco 26
- Fouls against: Canada 24 — Morocco 14
- Offsides: Canada 2 — Morocco 3
- Yellow cards: Canada 4 — Morocco 4
- Red cards: Canada 0 — Morocco 0
- Forced turnovers: Canada 36 — Morocco 29
Starting Lineups
Canada 4-4-2: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Moïse Bombito, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur; Stephen Eustáquio; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi, Tajon Buchanan, Ali Ahmed.
Morocco 4-2-3-1: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal; Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz.
Status: Completed. Morocco advanced to the next round.
