Ounahi bags a brace and Morocco knock Canada out with only 5 shots in Houston

There was a belief in Houston that Canada, World Cup co-host, could make history in front of a home crowd. But Morocco didn't need many chances to end the dream: the Atlas Lions won 3–0 with only five shots the entire match — the fewest by a winning team in a World Cup knockout round since 1966. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice (50' and 82'), Rahimi sealed it at 90'+8' and Brahim Díaz became Africa's all-time World Cup assist leader with his fourth — building two of the three goals. Canada, without the injured Alphonso Davies, went out. Morocco advance to the quarterfinals to meet France — their 2022 tormentors.

World Cup history

Morocco and Canada had met once at a World Cup before: in the 2022 group stage in Qatar, the Africans won 2–1 with goals from Ziyech and En-Nesyri. That match saw Canada score their first-ever World Cup goal — an involuntary own goal by Nayef Aguerd.

Full head-to-head between the two nations

With the round-of-16 result, Canada now stand at five defeats and zero wins against Morocco all-time.

Canada in World Cup knockouts

The 2026 World Cup was an unprecedented chapter for the country. Before this tournament, Canada had only played two World Cups — 1986 and 2022 — and had never advanced past the group stage. As co-hosts they set two landmarks: in the round of 32 they beat South Africa 1–0 (Canada's first-ever World Cup win) and reached the round of 16 for the first time. That's as far as it went.

Morocco in World Cup knockouts

In 1986, Morocco became the first African team to qualify from a World Cup group stage. In 2022, in Qatar, they rewrote world football's history by becoming the first African and Arab side to reach a semifinal — knocking out Belgium, Spain and Portugal before losing to France. In 2026, they reach the quarterfinals in back-to-back World Cups, something few nations achieve.

Match sheet

• 50' — Azzedine Ounahi (MAR), assist by Achraf Hakimi
• 82' — Azzedine Ounahi (MAR), assist by Brahim Díaz
• 90'+8' — Soufiane Rahimi (MAR), assist by Brahim Díaz

Canada's standouts

Jonathan David (Juventus, 26). The biggest goal-scorer Canada has ever sent to a World Cup. Without Davies stretching the field and with Morocco locking the channels, he never found the gap to decide it.

Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal, 26). With Davies out, he was the main creator on the left. He was the Canadian who tried hardest to prise the Moroccan defense open.

Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto, 27). The combative midfield engine. Worked all 90 minutes, but found no partners to convert possession into real chances.

Morocco's standouts

Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille, 24). Man of the match, no debate. Scored at 50' and 82' and gave the win its shape before Rahimi's late third.

Brahim Díaz (Milan, 25). Born in Málaga, he chose Morocco and turned the choice into a legacy: two assists in Houston and four total in the tournament — the African player with the most assists in World Cup history.

Achraf Hakimi (PSG, 27). The most valuable player in the squad (€80 million). Assisted Ounahi's opener and remains one of the most complete full-backs in world football.

Market value: €360 million vs ~€220 million

Morocco's squad is valued at around €360 million, with Hakimi (€80m) the most expensive piece. On the Canadian side, Alphonso Davies (~€60 million) is the most valuable player — but he sat this one out with a hamstring injury, a harsh blow for a team that relied on his pace down the left.

Next opponent

In the quarterfinals Morocco meet France in Boston — the same opponent that stopped them in the 2022 semifinal. A shot at revenge. You'll follow it all here on Guriball.