Ezzeldin Ounahi fired Morocco into the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals in a 3-0 victory over Canada in their round-of-16 clash at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The Atlas Lions continued to roar and advanced successfully through the tournament, securing the biggest Arab victory in World Cup history. Morocco will face the winner of the France–Paraguay match in the next round.
Morocco's performance was mixed across the two halves. Canada dominated the first half with sustained attacking pressure, but Yassine Bounou kept his net clean with two crucial saves against Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan. Morocco were also forced into an early substitution when the injured Ismail Saibari was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.
Morocco awoke in a much-improved second half, with Ounahi opening the scoring in the 50th minute with a powerful low strike following a precise pass from Achraf Hakimi.
The goal gave Morocco confidence and allowed them to take control of the game, while Bounou continued to shine with decisive saves to deny Canada an equaliser.
Ounahi sealed the victory with a second goal in the 82nd minute after a swift counter-attack initiated by Brahim Diaz, while Rahimi came close to adding a third when his header struck the crossbar in the 85th minute.
Soufiane Rahimi completed the scoring with the third goal after receiving a pass from Brahim Diaz and slotting it comfortably into the net in the 90+8th minute, after which the referee blew the final whistle to confirm Morocco's victory and their continued dream in the World Cup.