Azzedine Ounahi shines for Morocco, more influential than at club amid coach’s faith | OneFootball

Azzedine Ounahi’s brace fired Morocco past Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16, despite a display they never fully controlled.

L'Équipe notes that former Morocco technical director Nasser Larguet views him as more influential for country than club, linking it to the trust shown by Walid Regragui in 2022 and by Mohamed Ouahbi now.

He struck on 50 minutes from Achraf Hakimi’s pass, then rifled into the top corner from Brahim Diaz on 82 to seal the quarter-final place.

In the Atlas Lions shirt he looks transformed, already 54 caps at 26. He impressed in Qatar with his running, creativity and interceptions, and now he has added end product.

Larguet, who recruited him to the Mohamed VI academy, recalls a route through Strasbourg and a loan at Avranches, then Angers before Marseille in January 2023. He says clubs can be hesitant to give him full trust. Sold last summer to Girona, relegated to Spain’s second tier, he never fully broke through at Marseille amid heavy competition.

Larguet pointed to Canada as a sign of status, with Ayyoub Bouaddi withdrawn despite Ounahi’s difficult first half. Ouahbi has pushed him higher, asking for more in the final third and more runs into the box, and values his press resistance and work rate.

Named MVP, Ounahi kept it understated, saying the first half was tough and the second improved thanks to the substitutes. He noted many expected Morocco to cruise, but Canada attacked without fear, and Morocco played with greater calm after the break.

Source: L'Équipe