Morocco roar past Canada into World Cup last 16

Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured the North Africans completed prime of Group F forward of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.

Morocco, who last reached the knockout phases of the World Cup in 1986, will face the runners-up from Group E within the last 16, with the identification of their opponents determined later Thursday.

Canada’s defeat in the meantime capped a disappointing World Cup for the CONCACAF aspect, who depart after shedding all three of their group video games on their long-awaited return to the finals.

Morocco put themselves firmly on track for the second spherical after upsetting Belgium 2-0 on Sunday, a consequence that left them needing solely a degree towards Canada on Thursday to make sure of advancing.

Achieving that goal by no means seemed unsure after the Moroccans grabbed the lead after solely 4 minutes in entrance of 43,102 followers on the Al-Thumama Stadium.

Canada captain and goalkeeper Milan Borjan raced off his line to clear an underhit backpass from Steven Vitoria however might solely watch in horror because the ball fell to Morocco’s Ziyech.

The Chelsea star seized the chance ruthlessly, coolly lifting a end over the stranded Borjan into the empty internet for 1-0.

That early setback winded Canada, who struggled to realize any kind of a foothold towards a rampant Morocco who have been quickly 2-0 up.

Right-back Achraf Hakimi’s lengthy ball caught the Canadian defence napping and En-Nesyri darted in behind earlier than smashing dwelling a end on the close to publish to beat Borjan.

Canada pulled a purpose again on a uncommon foray ahead 5 minutes from half-time when defender Sam Adekugbe skipped clear down the left and rifled in a low cross.

Defender Nayef Aguerd caught a leg out and the ball deflected into the online past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make it 2-1.

Morocco thought they’d restored their two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time when En-Nesyri lashed dwelling eight yards out just for the trouble to be deemed offside.

Canada began the second half brightly, with Alphonso Davies jabbing a shot simply broad after a promising assault.

But Morocco dropped deeper and Canada lacked the inventiveness to noticeably threaten.

Their finest probability of drawing degree got here from a setpiece on 71 minutes, when substitute Atiba Hutchinson’s header from a nook crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the goal-line. 

Full-back Alistair Johnston failed to manage the rebound and Morocco’s lead remained intact.

Canada captain Borjan nearly obtained caught out once more in one other dangerous advance in damage time, however Davies was readily available to snuff out the hazard earlier than Morocco’s raucous followers erupted in celebration on the whistle.