Morocco win 3-0 over Canada in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16

The round of 16 clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place on 4 July 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Host nation Canada faced a determined Moroccan side in a knockout tie that would decide which team progressed to the next stage.

How it unfolded

The first half began with a physical tone when Morocco’s Redouane Halhal received a yellow card in the 20th minute for a bad foul. The disciplinary rhythm continued at the 40th minute when Achraf Hakimi was booked, and moments later Canada’s Richie Laryea also saw a yellow card. Just three minutes later, Jonathan David was cautioned for a bad foul, adding further tension to the midfield battle.

As the first half drew to a close, the referee issued a yellow card to Azzedine Ounahi in the 45th minute for a bad foul, followed by a second-half stoppage-time booking for Bilal El Khannouss at 45'+6'. The early bookings hinted at a tightly contested encounter, but the breakthrough came shortly after the restart.

In the 49th minute, Luc De Fougerolles was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, bringing Canada’s tally of cautions to three. The following minute proved decisive: Azzedine Ounahi unleashed a right-footed shot from outside the box that curled into the bottom right corner, giving Morocco a 1-0 lead. The goal was set up by Achraf Hakimi from a set-piece situation.

The second half opened with Canada’s Cyle Larin receiving a yellow card in the 67th minute for a bad foul, leaving the home side with four cautions. Morocco doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute when Ounahi struck again, this time from the centre of the box, sending the ball into the top right corner. The second goal came after a fast break and was assisted by Brahim Díaz.

The match’s final blow arrived in stoppage time. In the 90'+8' minute, Soufiane Rahimi added a third for Morocco, a left-footed finish from the centre of the box that slipped into the bottom right corner. Brahim Díaz provided the assist, completing a fast-break move that sealed the 3-0 victory.

Standout performers

Azzedine Ounahi was the clear offensive catalyst, scoring both the 50th-minute and 82nd-minute goals. His first strike came from a set-piece pass by Achraf Hakimi, while his second was the product of a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Brahim Díaz, who also supplied the assist for Soufiane Rahimi’s late winner. Rahimi’s composure in the final minutes added the finishing touch. Hakimi’s early assist and Díaz’s two decisive passes highlighted their creative influence in Morocco’s triumph.

Match facts

  • Final score: Canada 0-3 Morocco
  • Scorers: Azzedine Ounahi (50', 82'), Soufiane Rahimi (90'+8')
  • Assists: Achraf Hakimi (50'), Brahim Díaz (82', 90'+8')
  • Bookings:
    • Morocco: Redouane Halhal (20'), Achraf Hakimi (40'), Azzedine Ounahi (45'), Bilal El Khannouss (45'+6')
    • Canada: Richie Laryea (40'), Jonathan David (43'), Luc De Fougerolles (49'), Cyle Larin (67')
  • Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

What it means

Morocco’s 3-0 win sends them through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Canada’s campaign ends at the round of 16.