Canada's historic World Cup run concludes with 3-0 loss as Morocco advances to quarterfinals again

Morocco eliminated World Cup co-host Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 on Saturday, booking a spot in the quarterfinals. The win makes Morocco the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once, according to AP News.
The loss ends Canada's historic run at a home World Cup. The Canadians had just won their first-ever knockout match — a 1-0 victory over South Africa — before running into a Moroccan side on a 34-match unbeaten streak, The Globe and Mail reported.
Azzedine Ounahi was the standout player, scoring two goals to power Morocco's dominant display. Canada had no answer for the Moroccan attack, which controlled the match from start to finish. The final scoreline of 3-0 was never really in doubt, according to AP News.
The match was a physical affair. Referees handed out eight yellow cards across both sides. Despite the rough play, Morocco stayed disciplined enough to convert their chances and shut Canada out completely, Brandon Sun reported.
Morocco's quarterfinal berth is a landmark moment for African football. No African team had ever reached the quarterfinals more than once — until now. Morocco also reached the last eight at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they went on to finish fourth, Winnipeg Free Press noted.
To get to this point, Morocco first beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the round of 32. Back-to-back quarterfinals now cement Morocco as a genuine world power in the sport, according to Click Orlando.
Canada came into the tournament as a co-host alongside the United States and Mexico. Expectations were high. The team delivered their biggest result ever — a first knockout-round win over South Africa — before Saturday's defeat ended the dream, The Globe and Mail reported.
Still, the tournament marked a turning point for Canadian soccer. Reaching the round of 16 and winning a knockout match at a home World Cup gives the program a foundation to build on heading into future competitions.
Morocco will next face the winner of the Paraguay vs. France match. A potential rematch with a major European power looms. Morocco beat France's neighbor Spain in 2022, and their organized defense — which has now kept Canada scoreless — will be tested again, according to Post Register.
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