Canada became the first co-host to exit the 2026 World Cup as they were well beaten by Morocco in Houston.
The Moroccans, having failed to impress in a bad-tempered first half, took the lead five minutes after the interval through Azzedine Ounahi.
Ounahi swept home Achraf Hakimi’s cut-back free kick from inside the D as the Canadian defence failed to close him down.
The Girona midfielder scored his second by converting a breakaway with eight minutes remaining to seal victory.
And an ultimately comfortable win was topped off in stoppage time as Soufiane Rahimi slid his shot under keeper Maxime Crepeau.
It was tough on Canada, who had started by far the stronger team in Texas and should have led early on.
But Morocco progress, as they move one win away from equalling their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup.
Canada pressed the Moroccans relentlessly from the start, and both Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi were denied one on one by Morocco keeper Bono inside the opening 11 minutes.
The African side were below par and clearly frustrated for long periods as seven yellow cards were shown by English referee Michael Oliver.
But Morocco ultimately came through and were close to a third when Rahimi looped a header off the crossbar – before the striker finally got his goal with the last touch of the match.
It means Canada’s most successful men’s World Cup campaign comes to an end – a tournament in which they earned their first point, win, group stage progression and knock-out victory.
Canada analysis: Golden generation loses its shine
For the second time, Canada were in the strange situation of playing on foreign soil in a home World Cup – and their supporters were outnumbered by Morocco fans in Texas.
Yet they stepped up to the challenge with high tempo and pressing, leaving Morocco looking stunned at times in the first half.
But Canada, for all their effort, lacked the quality to break down the solid Moroccan defence as Juventus striker David ended his below-par tournament on another quiet note.
Another member of what has been dubbed Canada’s golden generation did not even get off the bench. Their captain and talisman, Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies, was an unused sub.
Davies has struggled with a hamstring injury and while he came on in the round of 32 against South Africa, he was not fit enough to make an impact here.
Morocco analysis: From frustration to delight
After their incredible run in Qatar from four years ago and stunning shoot-out win over Netherlands in the round of 32, Morocco started this match in the unfamiliar role as favourites.
That, and 24 hours less recovery time than the Canadians from their previous match, perhaps explains why they started the game like strangers with no rhythm or passing fluency.
Their obvious frustration boiled over in the 40th minute when Morocco captain Hakimi shoved over Canada defender Richie Laryea as he chased a long ball. Laryea’s reaction meant both men were booked.
But Paris St-Germain full back Hakimi and co withstood the Canada onslaught with what remains one of the World Cup’s staunchest defences.
While Canada had 30 touches in the Moroccan box, they were limited to only three shots on target – with just one coming after the 11th minute.
Morocco have now beaten Canada in back to back World Cups – having defeated them in the 2022 group stage – and are unbeaten in five meetings.
BBC
