HOUSTON, July 05 (V7N) - Canada became the first co-host to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco side secured a 3-0 victory to advance to the quarter-finals on Saturday in front of 68,777 fans at the Houston Stadium.
Despite an authoritative first-half performance from Jesse Marsch’s men, the 2022 semi-finalists completely transformed the match after the break. Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, sweeping in a first-time strike from an Achraf Hakimi free-kick. As Canada pushed forward for an equalizer, Ounahi doubled his tally on an 82nd-minute counter-attack before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third with the final kick of the match.
The result brings an end to a historic campaign for the clear-underdog Canadian squad, who had won their first-ever World Cup match and knockout game to reach the Round of 16. Morocco now advances to the quarter-finals, where they will face either title-favorites France or Paraguay.
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