MrAnalyst — Post-Match: 
Canada 0–3 Morocco 
Canada 0–3 Morocco
Morocco’s relentless physicality broke Canadian hearts, but it was Azzedine Ounahi’s magic and a super-sub’s late strike that sealed a commanding 3–0 victory.
How it unfolded
A feisty, ill-tempered first half set the tone, with six yellow cards brandished before the break. Redouane Halhal saw the first for a reckless challenge on 20 minutes, and barely two minutes later injury forced Morocco into an early change—Soufiane Rahimi replaced Ismael Saibari. That substitution would prove decisive. The cards kept coming: Achraf Hakimi, Richie Laryea, Jonathan David, Azzedine Ounahi, and Bilal El Khannouss all entered the book in a frantic spell that sapped any early rhythm.
Canada held their shape but struggled to create clear openings, their 44.6% possession yielding ten shots but only three on target. Morocco looked more dangerous with every counter, and the breakthrough arrived just after the restart. In the 50th minute, a set-piece routine saw Hakimi roll the ball to Ounahi on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s right-footed strike arrowed into the bottom right corner, giving the Atlas Lions a lead their composure deserved.
The Canadians responded with substitutions—Cyle Larin among them—but their aggression only invited more trouble. Larin himself was booked within four minutes of his introduction. Morocco tightened their grip, bringing on Sofyan Amrabat to shore up midfield and Chemsdine Talbi to stretch the game. The second goal came in the 82nd minute: Brahim DÃaz launched a devastating fast break, feeding Ounahi in the centre of the box, and the midfielder smashed the ball into the top right corner for his brace. Canada’s spirit visibly drained away.
Deep into stoppage time, DÃaz again provided the ammunition on the counter. With the Canadian defence shredded, he found Rahimi in acres of space. The early substitute—on for the injured Saibari back in the 22nd minute—kept his cool and swept a left-footed finish into the bottom right corner. It was the ultimate vindication of Morocco’s squad depth: a super-sub delivering the final blow in the 98th minute.
Azzedine Ounahi — key player in Canada 0–3 Morocco. Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
.jpg){kind=link}
Verdict & ratings
Morocco’s discipline after the break was exemplary. They absorbed the cards, adjusted their shape, and struck with surgical precision. Azzedine Ounahi (9/10) ran the show, his two goals a masterclass in timing and technique. Achraf Hakimi (8) not only assisted the opener but was a constant outlet on the right, while Brahim DÃaz (8.5) produced two assists that underscored his growing tournament influence. The real story, however, is Soufiane Rahimi (8), who turned an early injury substitution into a defining late contribution—proof that Morocco’s bench carries genuine firepower.
For Canada, the night was a cautionary tale of wasted energy. Eleven corners and plenty of huffing yielded nothing; Jonathan David was largely isolated, and the string of yellow cards—totalling five for Canada alone—spoke to a lack of control. Luc De Fougerolles struggled against the pace of Morocco’s counters, and the late collapse was a grim reflection of their defensive fatigue. Cyle Larin’s impact was minimal beyond his booking.
The 3–0 scoreline feels emphatic, yet the raw statistics are deceptive: Morocco attempted only five shots to Canada’s ten, but hit the target with four of them and scored from three. Efficiency, not volume, won this contest. The Atlas Lions now sit in a powerful Group B position, while Canada must quickly rediscover their composure to avoid an early exit.
Who was Morocco’s true game-changer: Ounahi’s brace, DÃaz’s two assists, or Rahimi’s super-sub heroics?
By the numbers
| Canada |
Morocco |
|
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 44.6% | 55.4% |
| Total shots | 10 | 5 |
| On target | 3 | 4 |
| Corners | 11 | 1 |
| Fouls | 24 | 14 |
Highlights & reaction
Watch the goals & highlights: search on YouTube · FOX Sports (US)
Analysis & reaction (ESPN):
Clips via ESPN.
Post-match analysis · auto-generated from official match data.
Match thread: Canada vs Morocco · Bracket: Road to the Final