Morocco made history after beating Canada as they are the second African side to top a World Cup group and ensured a slot in the round of 16 with seven points, joining Senegal as a second African team in the knockouts. Follow for more World Cup soccer fixtures today here!
Hakim Ziyech started the Moroccan party with an early opening goal at the 4th minute mark while the Canadians were having a terrible mix-up on defense. Ziyech latches the loose ball to past the out-of-position Borjan for an early lead for the Atlas Lions. Almost 20 minutes later, Youssef En-Nesyri followed with another goal to make it two for Morocco. Hakimi just made an easy right flank to make Canada’s defense zag that gives enough timing and space for Nesyri to race onto the ball and make a quick-witted and then kicks it to the net to make Morocco’s lead by double. To get updated, watch soccer live here!
This was a very important final group match for Morocco, knowing that winning this game will secure their spot into the knockout stage for the first time in thirty-six years. After almost two hours of entertaining football between Canada and Morocco, the Al Thumama stadium erupts with Morocco fans screaming with joy as the Atlas Lions tops the Group and qualify for the knockout stage. The first African team who finished top of the group was Nigeria in 1998.
Morocco’s World Cup Group F was not short of spectacular moments – they are expected to finish at least third in this group given the fact that they faced a ranked No.2 Belgium and a 2018 World Cup Finalist Croatia, it really gives Morocco a nightmare to expect, but opposite happens and they gave nightmare to these two teams, especially to a highly-touted Belgium.
The Morocco football manager expressed his excitement during the post-game. “Today we made history. We are so happy with the qualification and I want to say congratulations to the group. I’m so proud of Morocco and the Moroccan people.”
“We have a good group, a good mentality and it’s time to change our generation. We set ourselves an objective, we can tick the box of getting out of the group,” Regragui said. “But we’re not stopping here. We’re going to be a difficult team to play, and why not, we can dream about winning the World Cup!”
This is a great learning experience for team Canada, losing all of their three matches in the World Cup while giving teams they faced a hard-fought battle, it is a great perspective to look for. Alphonso Davies is the bright future for this team and they must turn their attention to 2026 and prepare to perform on their home soil.
Hakim Ziyech’s opening goal for Morocco in just 4 minutes into the match was the second earliest goal ever scored by this African nation at the World Cup, the first was against Czech Republic in 2006 by Asamoah Gyan. While Canada stretched their losing streak at the World Cup to six games, a 100% losing record in this competition together with El Salvador.
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