Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Morocco looked nothing like World Cup contenders for the opening 45 minutes. But once they awoke, there was only one winner.
Azzedine Ounahi’s second-half brace inspired a 3-0 victory over Canada on Saturday, ending the co-hosts’ dream run and booking Morocco a second successive FIFA World Cup quarter-final appearance after a ruthless turnaround in Houston.
Canada had spent much of the first half pinning Morocco inside their own half, creating the better chances and forcing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a string of important saves. Yet, like so many knockout ties, the match turned on moments rather than momentum, and Morocco made every one of theirs count after the break.
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Soufiane Rahimi added a stoppage-time third to complete a scoreline that looked emphatic but barely reflected how evenly contested the match had been before the interval.
Canada vs Morocco, FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Highlights
MOROCCO’S FIRST-HALF SLUMBER
Canada arrived in Houston as underdogs, but Jesse Marsch’s side played with the confidence of a team that believed another upset was within reach.
The co-hosts pressed relentlessly from the opening whistle, disrupting Morocco’s passing rhythm and forcing repeated turnovers in midfield. Jonathan David nearly opened the scoring inside five minutes, only for Yassine Bounou to produce a smart close-range save before punching away Stephen Eustaquio’s dangerous corner moments later.
The best chance of the opening half came in the 12th minute after Morocco carelessly surrendered possession just outside their own penalty area. Tani Oluwaseyi spun away from his marker and drilled a low effort towards goal, but Bounou reacted brilliantly with an outstretched left leg to preserve parity.
By the hydration break, Canada had attempted all four shots in the contest while Morocco had failed to register a meaningful effort.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side looked unusually subdued. Ounahi struggled to influence proceedings, Achraf Hakimi found little joy down the right flank and Brahim Diaz was crowded out every time he tried to drive at Canada’s defence.
Matters worsened in the 22nd minute when tournament top scorer Ismael Saibari limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, robbing Morocco of one of their most dangerous attacking weapons.
Canada continued to dictate the tempo, but their inability to convert pressure into goals kept Morocco alive heading into the break.
THE COMEBACK
Morocco emerged after half-time looking like an entirely different side.
Just five minutes into the second period, they turned a routine set piece into a moment of brilliance. Following a foul on Rahimi, Hakimi stood over a free-kick on the right before disguising a low pass into Ounahi on the edge of the box. The midfielder struck it first time, sending a precise finish into the bottom corner to give Morocco the lead with only their second shot of the match.
The goal completely transformed the contest.
Canada were suddenly forced to chase the game, leaving spaces that had been absent throughout the first half. Morocco grew in confidence with every passing minute, while Ounahi began dictating play and Diaz found room to run at a retreating Canadian defence.
The co-hosts still created chances to draw level. Jonathan David sent a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar before Tajon Buchanan unleashed a powerful long-range strike that forced another outstanding save from Bounou.
Those missed opportunities proved decisive.
In the 82nd minute, Morocco broke at pace after winning possession in midfield. Diaz delayed his pass before sliding Ounahi through on goal, and the midfielder rifled an unstoppable finish into the top corner to put the result beyond doubt.
Rahimi then completed the scoring eight minutes into stoppage time, finishing another devastating counter-attack as Canada committed bodies forward in a desperate search for a way back into the tie.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Morocco’s victory extended their unbeaten run to 34 matches and secured a second successive appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals, reinforcing their growing reputation as one of international football’s most accomplished knockout teams.
Ouahbi’s side will face either France or Paraguay in Boston on July 9, although the fitness of Saibari is likely to be a major concern after the midfielder’s early withdrawal.
For Canada, the defeat signals the end of a breakthrough World Cup campaign. The co-hosts reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history before defeating South Africa to earn a place in the Round of 16, giving their home supporters plenty to celebrate.
Against Morocco, they showed they could match one of the tournament favourites for an entire half. But knockout football rarely rewards the better team for long periods. It rewards the team that seizes its moments. Canada failed to do so, while Morocco needed only one spark to awaken. Once they found it, there was no stopping them.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
