Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in consecutive tournaments, eliminating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston.
Morocco made history on Saturday, becoming the first African nation in history to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in consecutive tournaments with a resounding 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston.
After a deadlocked first half, Azzedine Ounahi unlocked Canada’s low block in the 50th minute, hammering home after an engineered Achraf Hakimi free-kick routine caught the Canadian defence off guard. Ounahi rounded off his night with a clinical counter-attack goal in the 82nd minute to put the fixture out of reach. Deep into second-half stoppage time, Soufiane Rahimi added a ruthless third goal to cap off a historic evening.
📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS
Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.
Morocco executed a flawlessly clinical game plan, scoring three times from only four shots on target. Canada managed 10 shots, three on target, while Morocco controlled possession with 56 percent.
Canadian captain Alphonso Davies, shaken by recent fitness issues, was left out of the starting lineup and did not start the match, heavily deflating Canada’s attacking output. Despite matching Morocco in intense pressing strings during the opening 45 minutes, Jesse Marsch’s Canadian side paid dearly for failing to capitalise on early chances.
Morocco were forced into an early tactical switch when midfielder Ismael Saibari suffered a painful muscle injury in the 22nd minute. Soufiane Rahimi came on and later sealed the rout.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, Morocco will face the winner of the Colombia vs. Switzerland match in the quarter-finals.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on August 22, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
🏟️ Discover More Sports Stories
Looking for more in-depth sports news, interviews, and features? Visit Accra Sports News — your go-to for exclusive sports content in Ghana and beyond.
Disclaimer: Some content on Accra Street Journal may be aggregated, summarized, or edited from third-party sources for informational purposes. Images and media are used under fair use or royalty-free licenses. Accra Street Journal is a subsidiary of SamBoad Publishing Hub under SamBoad Business Group Ltd, registered in Ghana since 2014.
For concerns or inquiries, please visit our Privacy Policy or Contact Page.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
