By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Canada in the World Cup round of 16 Saturday to make the country the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once.
Read more Fortes, Caminero hit HRs, Rays beat Astros 3-1 for 9th straight win
It’s Morocco’s second straight appearance in the quarterfinals after becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals in 2022.
Neither team was able to break through until Ounahi took a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and made a right-footed shot through traffic from outside the box to the bottom right corner to put Morocco on top 1-0 in the 50th minute.
Ounahi made it 2-0 on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box off a pass from Brahim Díaz in the 82nd minute.
Soufiane Rahimi added a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.
Morocco advances to face the winner of Saturday’s Paraguay-France match on Thursday at Boston Stadium.
Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s 2nd goal against Canada during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi (8), celebrates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi (8) scores their second goal past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (16) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Colombia and Ghana in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi (8) scores during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith
The loss ends a historic run for World Cup co-host Canada, which won its first-ever knockout round with a 1-0 victory over South Africa to reach Saturday’s match. The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch.
Morocco, which is ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, dispatched the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16 and send the country to its earliest World Cup exit.
Read more All-Area track and field: Gateway’s Maxwell Garcon is Sentinel Athlete of Year
Canada had a couple of chances to score late. Jonathan David had a free kick from outside the box in the 78th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Just after that Tajon Buchanan’s shot from about 30 yards was stopped with a diving save from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Bounou, who was born in Canada to Moroccan parents, had three saves to help Morocco to the win.
This game was a rematch from the last World Cup when Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage in a tournament in which Morocco finished fourth.
It was an extremely physical match with eight yellow cards being issued. Both teams received four.
Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea received yellow cards in the 40th minute. Hakimi shoved Laryea to the ground and then Laryea pushed him and a minor scuffle ensued.
Read more Without Banda, Orlando Pride blanked by Angel City 2-0 in return from break
Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari left with an injury in the 22nd minute.
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here