Morocco break Canadian hearts to reach World Cup quarters

Houston: Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston. forestarrow.help

The 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favourites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches.

After a first half littered with more bookings than shots, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes.

Canada -- playing the biggest game in their footballing history -- pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch's men.

Substitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match.

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It was tough on Canada, who were the better side in the opening period in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they sought to make more history.

They came into the contest in uncharted territory, having won a World Cup match and then a knockout game for the first time to get to the last 16.

They were clear underdogs and their fans were outnumbered by Morocco supporters at the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.

Yet they looked the more confident at the start, Tani Oluwaseyi turning sharply in the box and forcing Morocco's Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to save with a stretched-out leg after 10 minutes.

From Canada's fourth corner of the half, defender Alistair Johnston failed to make the most of a free header. Morocco were rattled.

After 20 minutes Mohamed Ouahbi's team suffered a big injury blow, Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari -- who had scored three times at the tournament -- coming off for Rahimi.

Immediately after the drinks break Rahimi had a go optimistically from distance, registering Morocco's first shot on target with a quarter of the game gone.

There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards.

Referee Michael Oliver booked six players -- four from Morocco -- in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goal-mouth action.

The build-up to the last World Cup game of seven in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, was the highlight until that point.

Morocco, who beat Canada in the group phase at the 2022 World Cup, came out for the second period transformed.

Five minutes after the restart Hakimi pinged a low free-kick to Ounahi unmarked outside the box and he swept in first time.

Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had his view blocked by two of his defenders and the ball also went through Rahimi's legs.

On 82 minutes, Ounahi was the man in the right place again on the breakaway with another right-footed first-time finish, before Rahimi pounced in the 98th minute.

Doha, Qatar: France’s bid for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final faces its toughest challenge today when the two-time champions meet reigning European champions Spain in a blockbuster semi-final in Dallas, with Argentina or England awaiting the winners in Sunday’s final.

France have lived up to expectations throughout the tournament, winning all six matches to reach a third successive World Cup semi-final.

After topping Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway, Didier Deschamps’ side eliminated Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco, scoring 16 goals while keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout stage.

Leading the charge is Kylian Mbappe, whose relentless pursuit of another World Cup crown has been matched by another astonishing scoring run. The Real Madrid forward tops the Golden Boot standings with eight goals and three assists, while his strike against Morocco took his World Cup tally to 20 goals, leaving him just one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 21.

France’s firepower stretches far beyond their captain. Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola have all made decisive contributions, while Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have anchored a defence that has yet to concede in the knockout rounds.Spain players form a guard of honour for teammate Lamine Yamal (centre) on his birthday during a training session. PICS: AFP

Yet Deschamps insists France have achieved nothing yet.

“Right now we are only in the semi-finals. We have another step to go and it will obviously be really difficult.”

Mbappe has echoed his coach’s message, brushing aside the growing attention on his personal milestones.

“We’re in the semi-finals and we’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. We realise that what lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve been through, but we’re ready to face anything,” the 27-year-old said after France’s victory over Morocco.

Spain have grown stronger as the tournament has progressed. After a surprise goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opener, Luis de la Fuente’s side topped their group before producing convincing knockout performances, beating Austria 3-0, edging Portugal 1-0 and overcoming Belgium 2-1 to reach only their second World Cup semi-final since winning the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

La Roja are unbeaten in 36 matches in 90 minutes since March 2024 and have won seven of their last 10 meetings with France, including victories in the Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semi-finals.

Their midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo has dictated the tempo throughout the tournament, while goalkeeper Unai Simon has conceded only once.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has also emerged as Spain’s unlikely match-winner, becoming the first player in World Cup history to score winning goals as a substitute in two knockout matches.

Much of the attention, however, will centre on Lamine Yamal, the teenager widely viewed as the heir to Mbappe’s throne. The Barcelona winger first announced himself on the biggest stage by inspiring Spain to victory over France in the Euro 2024 semi-final, and now has another opportunity to halt Mbappe’s march towards history while chasing his own dream of lifting the World Cup before turning 20.

Yamal admitted before the tournament he feared injury would deny him the chance to play in North America, but Spain captain Rodri believes the teenager’s desire to influence every game sometimes gets the better of him.

“I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us.”

For De la Fuente, recent victories over France offer belief rather than guarantees. “It’s fair to think we can beat France; we’re going to work hard for them. We’re the only team that has managed to beat them twice. A great team is going to face another great team.”

Doha, Qatar: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has expressed his profound sorrow and deepest condolences to the Qatar royal family, the Qatar Football Association, and the people of Qatar following the demise of the Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The AFC President paid rich tribute to the monumental legacy of H H the Father Amir, hailing him as a visionary leader and the true architect of modern Qatar, whose immense love for football and sport transformed the sporting landscape of Qatar and Asia.

Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the AFC and the entire Asian football family, I wish to convey our heartfelt sympathies to the royal family, the Qatar Football Association, and the nation of Qatar during this time of immense grief.

“His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani was a leader of extraordinary vision and wisdom. His profound passion and love for football served as the driving force behind Qatar’s historic rise as a premier global sporting hub. It was under his inspirational leadership that Qatar secured the hosting rights for the magnificent FIFA World Cup 2022, a milestone achievement that brought the world’s biggest tournament to the Arab world for the very first time, filling our entire continent with pride.”

“The global sporting community will always remember His Highness as the driving force behind the historic 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. His reign also saw Qatar showcase its exceptional organisational capabilities to the football world by hosting a spectacular AFC Asian Cup in 2011,” Shaikh Salman noted.

Beyond football and continental games, the Father Amir ‘s era established Qatar as a permanent fixture on the international sporting calendar.

“His incredible impact on football and his enduring legacy across all sports will be cherished forever by the global sporting community,” added Shaikh Salman.

واصل المنتخب المغربي عروضه القوية في مونديال 2026، بعدما حجز أولى بطاقات التأهل إلى ربع النهائي بفوز مستحق على كندا بثلاثية نظيفة، أمس في هيوستن ضمن افتتاح منافسات دور الـ16. وسجل عز الدين أوناحي هدفين، قبل أن يختتم البديل سفيان رحيمي الثلاثية في الوقت بدل الضائع. وقدم “أسود الأطلس” أداء قويا ومقنعا على امتداد أطوار اللقاء.
ويؤكد هذا الإنجاز المسار المميز الذي يقدمه المنتخب المغربي في مونديال 2026، بعدما واصل عروضه القوية أمام كبار المنتخبات، معززا مكانته بين نخبة المنتخبات العالمية.
وبهذا الفوز، يضرب المغربي موعدا في دور ربع النهائي، مواصلا رحلة البحث عن إنجاز تاريخي جديد يضاف إلى سجل كرة القدم المغربية، وسط آمال جماهيرية كبيرة بمواصلة التألق في البطولة العالمية.وبهذا الفوز يكمل المغربي الفرح العربي بالانتصارات الكبيرة بعد ان عبر الفراعنة نظيرة الاسترالى في دور ال 16