Canada vs Morocco Highlights, FIFA World Cup: (CAN 0-3 MAR) Morocco sink co-hosts Canada to advance to quarters

The final whistle blows in Houston, and it’s Morocco who advance.

It wasn’t the straightforward win many expected. Canada dominated spells of the first half and kept Morocco quiet, but the Atlas Lions showed their resilience to grind out a result, with Ounahi’s breakthrough proving decisive.

Ounahi doubled his tally late on with Rahimi adding to Canada's woes.

Morocco march into the next round, where they will face the winner of France and Paraguay.

Goal de Morocco!

Morocco make it three-nil at the end through Rahimi.

Marching into quarters now!

Canada have a set-piece with three of the eight added minutes already gone.

Even their goalkeeper has come up in search of a breakthrough as the co-hosts throw everything forward.

Full-time is approaching in Houston, with eight minutes added on for stoppage time.

Canada must find real urgency now if they want any chance of getting back into this match.

Morocco are now surely heading to the World Cup quarter-finals!

It’s Ounahi again!

The Atlas Lions lead 2-0 in Houston as Canada are left exposed at the back. Brahim Díaz bursts into space, cuts inside his marker and lays it off for Ounahi, who calmly fires a first-time finish into the top-right corner.

GOALLLLLLL!

Morocco double their lead and it’s Ounahi again!

Surely, they’re now on their way to the quarter-finals!

Buchanan finds space and lets fly at goal, but a diving Bono gets down well to push the ball behind for a corner.

The resulting set-piece is dealt with comfortably by Morocco.

Time is running out for Canada to find a way back into this match.

Ounahi’s goal has completely shifted the dynamic, with the co-hosts now struggling to create clear openings.

Can the underdogs still have a say?

Not much in that at all.

As Cyle Larin chases down a loose ball and briefly pressures the keeper, minimal contact sees Yassine Bounou go down.

Before things can escalate, the referee books Larin, and we head into the hydration break.

Canada are in desperate need of inspiration, or the co-hosts’ World Cup journey will end here.

And there’s no better man in the squad than captain Alphonso Davies to provide that spark.

But the question remains — when will Jesse Marsch bring him on?

Ahmed drives his cross from the left straight into Bouaddi, earning another corner for Eustaquio to take.

He floats it high towards the back post, but De Fougerolles can only head it against the nearest Moroccan defender.

Canada’s failure to make the most of their first-half dominance could come back to haunt them, as Morocco have gone unbeaten in their last nine World Cup matches after scoring first — a streak stretching back to their 2-1 defeat to Germany in June 1970.

Morocco strike first in Houston!

The Atlas Lions break the deadlock from a well-worked free-kick, with Hakimi sliding it across for Azzedine Ounahi, who calmly drills a precise finish into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box.

Morocco lead 1-0 and have started the second half with far greater intent.

GOALLLL!

Despite Canada dominating much of the game, it's Morocco, who take the lead through a set piece.

This is the first World Cup match on record (since 1966) to feature more bookings (six) than shots (five) in the first half, underlining just how scrappy and underwhelming the opening period has been.

As we enter the second half in Houston, it must be said that this Canadian side has risen to the challenge with real composure and elegance.

Here we go in the final 45 minutes of regulation time as Morocco get us underway.

The first half ends goalless, but not without drama. Canada created the better openings, only to be frustrated by two outstanding saves from Bono. Morocco gradually grew into the contest but struggled to carve out clear chances. Tempers flared late in the half, with El Khannouss becoming the fourth Moroccan player booked after a late challenge on De Fougerolles. Everything is still to play for after an entertaining, hard-fought opening 45 minutes.

The closing stages of the first half have become increasingly feisty. Jonathan David was first booked for pulling back Diaz after being beaten on the flank, before Azzedine Ounahi followed him into Michael Oliver's notebook for a cynical swipe from behind on Ahmed.

With Hakimi and Laryea already cautioned, the referee has had his hands full as tempers continue to simmer.

The first flashpoint of the evening has arrived. Achraf Hakimi and Richie Laryea were both shown yellow cards after an off-the-ball shove from the Morocco full-back sparked a brief confrontation involving players from both sides. Referee Michael Oliver stepped in quickly to restore order, but the tension is beginning to rise as half-time approaches.

There is plenty of World Cup experience on show in Houston. Canada have two survivors from their group-stage meeting with Morocco at Qatar 2022, with Alistair Johnston and Tajon Buchanan starting again. Morocco boast even greater continuity, with Bono, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Azzedine Ounahi all back in the XI from that memorable encounter nearly four years ago.