Ounahi’s brace helps Morocco thrash Canada 3-0, march into FIFA World Cup quarterfinals

Morocco became the first team to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals after a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in a high-intensity Round of 16 clash in Houston. Despite withstanding sustained Canadian pressure in the opening stages, the Atlas Lions produced a clinical second-half display, with Azzedine Ounahi’s brace proving decisive.

The match began at a frenetic pace as Canada applied relentless pressure from the opening whistle, forcing Morocco onto the back foot in an entertaining end-to-end contest. The intensity spilled over into several physical challenges, prompting the referee to issue a series of yellow cards to keep the game under control.

Azzedine Ounahi scored a brace to power Morocco to a 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match in Houston. Pics: FIFA/X

Morocco suffered an early setback when Ismael Saibari was forced off with an injury after picking up a knock in the opening exchanges. However, the Atlas Lions regrouped and gradually grew into the contest.

Ounahi strikes for Morocco

The breakthrough arrived in the 50th minute through a brilliantly worked set-piece. Achraf Hakimi rolled a short free-kick to Azzedine Ounahi just outside the penalty area, and the midfielder unleashed a superb first-time strike into the net to hand Morocco the lead.

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As Canada searched for an equaliser, Morocco exploited the spaces left behind. Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, racing onto a perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Díaz before calmly curling his finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete his brace.

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The Atlas Lions put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time when Soufiane Rahimi capped off a swift counterattack with a composed left-footed finish into the far corner in the 90+8th minute.

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Morocco’s disciplined defensive display and ruthless finishing secured a deserved 3-0 victory, making the Atlas Lions the first nation to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals. While Canada’s memorable campaign ended in the Round of 16, they leave the tournament with immense credit after exceeding expectations through spirited performances and an inspiring knockout-stage run. Morocco will now face France in the quarterfinals.

Mbappe penalty sends France past Paraguay

Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty proved the difference as France edged past a resolute Paraguay 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, sealing their place in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought victory in Philadelphia.

Didier Deschamps’ side were made to work for every opportunity by a disciplined Paraguayan defence that frustrated the two-time world champions for long spells. France eventually found the breakthrough in the 70th minute, with Mbappe calmly converting from the penalty spot after Desire Doue was brought down inside the area.

The result extends France’s winning run to five matches at this year’s tournament and sets up a quarter-final clash with Morocco in Boston.

The opening half was a cagey affair with clear-cut opportunities at a premium. Paraguay executed their defensive game plan effectively, denying France space in the final third and ensuring neither goalkeeper was seriously tested before the interval.

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Neither side managed a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, marking only the third FIFA World Cup knockout match since 1966 to reach half-time without a single effort on target, following the 1990 final between Germany and Argentina and the 2006 quarter-final between Brazil and France.

France dominated but failed to breach rival defence

France dominated possession but struggled to break down Paraguay’s compact defensive structure, generating just 0.15 expected goals (xG) before the break, while Paraguay created little going forward with an xG of 0.05.

The contest opened up after the restart as France increased the tempo in search of a breakthrough. Their persistence was rewarded in the 70th minute when Doue was fouled inside the penalty area, allowing Mbappe to step up and confidently dispatch the spot-kick beyond goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

The goal was Mbappe’s 19th in FIFA World Cup history and his seventh of the 2026 tournament, strengthening his position among the competition’s leading scorers.

Paraguay attempted to push forward in the closing stages but found few openings against the French backline. Their only shot on target came late in the match, while France came close to doubling their advantage in stoppage time, only for Gill to produce two impressive saves to deny Mbappe.

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France finished with an expected goals tally of 1.36 compared to Paraguay’s 0.15, reflecting their greater attacking threat despite the narrow margin of victory.

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The win sends Les Bleus into the last eight, where they will face Morocco, as they continue their pursuit of a third FIFA World Cup title. Paraguay, meanwhile, bow out after a spirited defensive display that kept one of the tournament favourites at bay for over an hour before Mbappe’s decisive penalty settled the contest.