FIFA World Cup

Round of 16

CAN Canada Canada - MAR Morocco Morocco

Canada Canada

Morocco Morocco

90' +8'
S. Rahimi
82'
A. Ounahi
50'
A. Ounahi

Houston Stadium(Sold out)

Michael Oliver

Full-time: Canada 0-3 Morocco

Morocco proved to be extremely efficient and, despite a disappointing first half, deservedly progress to the quarter-finals. For hosts Canada, who were unable to convert their early dominance into anything tangible, their World Cup campaign is now over.

End of second half

Full-time

90'

+ 8

That seals it!

Morocco have a third goal! After another superb counter-attack, Díaz rolls the ball across to Rahimi, who keeps his composure and slots the ball home to make it 3-0.

90'

+ 8

Soufiane Rahimi

GOAL!

0:3

Assist:B. Díaz

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

17 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

14.37 m

90'

+ 7

It's not to be

The ball gets caught in the wall. That's probably that for the Canadians...

90'

+ 6

Free-kick Canada

Les Rouges have a decent chance to have a shot at goal from around 25 yards out.

90'

+ 4

Canada refuse to give up

The co-hosts are not throwing in the towel and continue to push forward. There are around four minutes remaining.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

Canada have an additional eight minutes to try and mount a stunning comeback.

88'

Final changes for the co-hosts

Nelson and Osorio are on for the final few minutes.

87'

Substitution

Jonathan Osorio

Niko Sigur

87'

Substitution

Jayden Nelson

Tajon Buchanan

87'

No xG, no problem

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Morocco have only created an xG of 0.37 tonight, but that hasn't stopped them from scoring two excellent goals.

xGoals

0.62

0.37

Goals

87'

Double change for Morocco

They are making another double substitution to try and take a few seconds off the clock. Diop and goalscorer Ounahi are going off.

87'

Substitution

Samir El Mourabet

Azzedine Ounahi

87'

Substitution

Marwane Saadane

Issa Diop

85'

Almost 3-0!

Ounahi floats a delicate cross into the centre for Rahimi, whose header strikes the underside of the crossbar and bounces down just in front of the goal line. That would have been game over.

Ounahi does it again!

What a lovely sweeping move that was! Following a swift counter, the ball goes to Díaz, who cuts inside the penalty area and lays it off to Ounahi. He then fires the ball into the top right corner of the net to break Canadian hearts. Morocco have one foot in the quarter-final...

82'

Azzedine Ounahi

GOAL!

0:2

Goal probability

17 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.73 m

79'

Bono to the rescue!

Directly after the double substitution, David shoots from a central position and forces Bono into a save. The resulting corner kick then comes to nothing.

78'

Substitution

Jacob Shaffelburg

Richie Laryea

78'

Substitution

Promise David

Ali Ahmed

77'

Disappointing

David runs up and balloons the free-kick well over the crossbar.

77'

Free-kick Canada

After a foul by Amrabat on Eustáquio, Canada are awarded a free kick right on the edge of the Moroccan penalty area. There is probably no better position to be in!

71'

We're back underway

The final 20 minutes are upon us. Canada are still yet to bring on captain Davies.

No quarter given

It's been a feisty contest so far in Houston, as is evidenced by the eight yellow cards and counting.

68'

Break in play

The referee begins the second hydration break.

67'

Another one

The newly introduced Larin attempts to reach a very short back pass played by Hakimi to Bono, but the keeper gets to the ball ahead of the Canadian and is subsequently fouled. Larin is promptly yellow carded.

67'

Yellow card

Cyle Larin

66'

Offside

Ahmed plays the ball into the left channel to Buchanan, who has just strayed into an offside position. Chance wasted for Canada.

63'

Canada also make a substitution

Larin comes on for Oluwaseyi as the co-hosts search for an equalising goal.

63'

Substitution

Cyle Larin

Tani Oluwaseyi

63'

Double change for Morocco

Head coach Mohamed brings on Amrabat and Talbi for Bouaddi and Stuttgart's El Khannouss.

63'

Substitution

Sofyan Amrabat

Ayyoub Bouaddi

63'

Substitution

Chemsdine Talbi

Bilal El Khannouss

62'

Morocco growing into the game

While they haven't created a host of chances, the Atlas Lions are starting to enjoy more of the ball as we head into the final 30 minutes.

Passes

209

339

60'

Penalty appeal

After a long ball, De Fougerolles flicks it on to Buchanan, who goes down in the penalty area. However, as he was in an offside position, play continues with a free-kick for Morocco.

58'

Corner for Canada

The Maple Leafs play a simple long ball forward and win a corner from it. It's delivered to the far post towards De Fougerolles, whose header poses no danger.

Right place, right time

Ounahi is completely unmarked at the edge of the Canada box and curls the ball into the bottom right corner to hand his side a 1-0 lead.

55'

Wasted chance

On the counter, Díaz plays the ball somewhat inaccurately to Rahimi, whose cross is cleared for a corner. Unfortunately for Morocco, it comes to nothing.

Morocco take the lead!

From the resulting free-kick, the net ripples! Hakimi plays it low into the box, where Ounahi takes the ball first time from a central position and steers it low into the right corner with the inside of his foot. It's a brilliant finish, and just like that, Morocco lead against the run of play!

50'

Azzedine Ounahi

GOAL!

0:1

Assist:A. Hakimi

Goal probability

11 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

18.25 m

49'

Yellow for De Fougerolles

At the other end of the pitch, De Fougerolles takes out Rahimi on the right flank and is booked. He also gives away a free-kick in a dangerous area...

49'

Yellow card

Luc De Fougerolles

47'

Corner for Canada

Oluwaseyi wins a corner for his side after a counter-attack. The corner is played short and ultimately finds De Fougerolles, who stretches to poke the ball over the bar.

46'

We're underway again

With no personnel changes, the second half gets underway.

Kick-off!

Half-time

Half-time: Canada 0-0 Morocco

In a largely chance-starved match, the two teams head to the dressing room goalless. The best opportunities so far have fallen to Canadian duo David and Oluwaseyi, both of whom have been denied by Bono. Morocco will be without star man Saibari in the second period, who had to leave the pitch in the 22nd minute due to injury. Will we see his new Bayern teammate Davies at some point?

45'

+ 6

Stuttgart man booked

El Khannouss goes in late on De Fougerolles and is shown a yellow card.

45'

+ 6

Yellow card

Bilal El Khannouss

45'

+ 3

Stop-start game

The match has been repeatedly interrupted by numerous small fouls in the final minutes, preventing any real sense of flow. There are just two minutes left to play before the break.

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be six minutes of added time.

45'

Ounahi goes into the ref's book

The Moroccan midfielder catches Ahmed's leg from behind and, as such, becomes the latest player to pick up a yellow card.

45'

Yellow card

Azzedine Ounahi

43'

Another booking

David holds Díaz back and receives a yellow card for the foul.

43'

Yellow card

Jonathan David

43'

Lacking a threat

With half-time quickly approaching, the Moroccans have not had a single touch in the opposition's penalty area. They will need to do significantly more to progress to the next round.

41'

Emotions are running high

After a foul, a small scuffle breaks out. Hakimi and Laryea both pick up a yellow card.

40'

Yellow card

Richie Laryea

40'

Yellow card

Achraf Hakimi

Is his World Cup over?

Saibari has been Morocco's stand out player at the World Cup, but his afternoon came to a premature end after he appeared to pick up an injury.

37'

Too casual

Mazraoui loses the ball while dribbling down the left channel. Shortly after, he is put onto the back foot but is just about able to clear it into touch. That was a tad careless from the left-back.

36'

No danger

A corner from Eustáquio is once again cleared with ease by Morocco.

29'

First Moroccan effort

Bombito's pass is misplaced and goes straight to the feet of Rahimi, who attempts a shot from around 20 yards. Crépeau holds onto the shot with relative ease, however.

27'

Back underway

Play resumes with a free-kick for the Moroccans.

26'

Morocco nullified

xGoals

The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists have created nothing in front of goal so far.

xGoals

0.29

Goals

24'

Drinks break

Referee Michael Oliver calls for the first hydration break.

22'

Saibari forced off

The new Bayern signing goes to the ground in some pain and has to be substituted off moments later after a brief spell of treatment. It's a bitter blow for Morocco...

22'

Substitution

Soufiane Rahimi

Ismael Saibari

21'

Early yellow card

Oluwaseyi is stamped on by Halhal, who is subsequently booked.

20'

Yellow card

Redouane Halhal

19'

Nice combination

Canada combine well down the right flank, but Halhal is just about able to clear with a sliding tackle for a corner. The resulting corner kick finds De Fougerolles, whose header from a few yards out is blocked by a Moroccan player.

Bright start from the co-hosts

Morocco goalkeeper Bono has already been called into action.

11'

Huge chance!

Ahmed plays the ball to Oluwaseyi in the penalty area, who skilfully leaves Halhal standing. Bono spreads himself wide in front of the Canadian and manages to prevent the shot from hitting the net. Best chance of the match so far!

Lively start

After Morocco's early control, it is now Canada who are applying considerable pressure and pushing forward.

First corner for Canada

Laryea drives down the left flank towards the penalty area and wins a corner against Díaz. Bono is able to punch it clear at the near post. The ball then falls to David, who fails to beat the Moroccan goalkeeper from a difficult angle.

Seeking control early on

Morocco have taken charge in the opening exchanges, retaining possession well.

Houston is ready!

Everything is set for the first Round of 16 tie in Texas.

The ball is rolling

Canada get the game started in Houston after a false start.

Kick-off!

The anthems are playing

The two national anthems are ringing out, in just a few moments the ball will be rolling!

The teams are coming out

Led by referee Michael Oliver, both teams are now taking to the pitch.

Starting line-up: Morocco

Formation:4-2-3-1

The wait goes on for Davies

For the fifth World Cup match in a row, the Bayern star is on the bench for Canada. Will Davies make an impact late in the game, just as he did against South Africa last time out?

Canadians come out to warm up

With 30 minutes until kick-off, the atmosphere is slowly starting to crackle in Houston!

Morocco have arrived

The players have arrived at the Houston Stadium and are inspecting the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Mazraoui milestone

The former Bayern Munich full-back is set to earn his 50th Moroccan cap tonight, and his 10th at a World Cup finals.

More on that Canada team

Alphonso Davies is named on the bench as Jesse Marsch makes three changes to the Canada side that started the round-of-32 win over South Africa. Luc De Fougerolles, Niko Sigur and Ali Ahmed come in, replacing Derek Cornelius, Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar.

More on that Morocco team

Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss keep their places in the starting XI as Morocco make one change to the team that defeated the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32. Redouane Halhal comes in at centre-back, replacing Chadi Riad.

Starting line-up: Canada

Formation:4-4-2

Canada subs

Choinière, Cornelius, P. David, Davies, Goodman, Jones, Larin, Millar, Nelson, Osorio, Saliba, Shaffelburg, St. Clair, Waterman

Morocco subs

Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Amrabat, Belammari, El Kaabi, Mourabet, El Ouahdi, El Kajoui, Rahimi, Riad, Saadane, Salah-Eddine, Sbaï, Tagnaouti, Talbi, Yassine

Head-to-head record

The only previous competitive meeting came in the last World Cup in 2022, when Morocco won 2-1 in the group stage on their remarkable run to the semi-finals thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri. Canada's response was a Nayef Aguerd own goal. The only other encounters between the North American and North African nations were friendlies in 2016 (4-0 Morocco win) and 1994 (1-1 draw).

How they got here: Morocco

The Atlas Lions needed a 91st-minute Issa Diop equaliser in Monterrey to cancel out Cody Gakpo's goal as the Atlas Lions took the Netherlands to extra-time and ultimately penalties, where Ismael Saibari netted the decisive spot-kick as Morocco won 3-2 to reach the last 16 for the second World Cup in a row.

How they got here: Canada

The co-hosts came second in Group B before Stephen Eustáquio hit the only goal of the game in the 92nd minute to beat South Africa in the round of 32 as Canada won their maiden knockout game at a World Cup to reach the last 16 for the first time ever. Alphonso Davies made his first appearance of the tournament off the bench in Los Angeles.

Welcome!

Follow all of the action as co-hosts Canada take on Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16, kicking off at 7pm CEST in Houston.