Canada become first co-hosts to exit World Cup at hands of clinical Morocco | OneFootball

Canada became the first of this year’s co-hosts to be eliminated from the World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 defeat to Morocco in Houston.

Azzedine Ounahi’s brace and late Soufiane Rahimi finish proved enough to condemn Jesse Marsh’s side to a last 16 exit, as they failed to find the net when on top in the first half.

Morocco will now play France in the quarter finals, and will fancy their chances of upsetting the tournament favourites after producing the cutting edge their opponents lacked.

As it happened

The first half produced little in the way of fireworks, despite it being Independence Day for Canada’s North American neighbours.

But it was Marsch’s side who started the brighter, as Atlas Lions goalkeeper Bono was forced to deal with a couple of early corner attempts in addition to an angled half volley from Jonathan David.

The Canadian pressure kept coming, and Tanitoluwa Oluyasewi saw a glorious one-on-one chance saved by Bono following fine footwork after Morocco gave the ball away with a sloppy pass.

Les Rouge then had their fourth corner in the opening 20 minutes after Redouane Halhal produced a wonderful covering clearance to stop Tajon Buchanan reaching the ball, but Stephen Eustaquio’s tame delivery was easily dealt with by the Atlas Lions backline.

And Morocco’s poor start was furthered compounded shortly before the hydration break when top scorer Ismael Saibari was forced off with a suspected muscle injury.

Rahimi, Saibari’s replacement, had his nation’s first opportunity of the game just before the half hour, a low drive from range that was simply saved by Canuck shot stopper Maxime Crepeau.

The rest of the first period produced few opportunities of note, as the match gradually began to run out of fuel in America’s Space City.

The start of the second 45 was similarly insipid, with Oluwaseyi failing to get a shot away after a promising one-two and De Fougerolles heading well over from a corner.

But the match finally burst into life on the 50 minute mark, Azzedine Ounahi rifling in a low strike from the edge of the penalty area following Hakimi’s assist via a free kick.

From there things gradually became more end-to-end and both teams traded chances on the counter, albeit a lack of end product continued to be an issue.

Cyle Larin was brought on to try and drag Canada level just after the hour, and just three minutes later left his mark – quite literally – on Bono when attempting to win the ball inside the six yard box.

Canada had further chances to get that leveller as the secod half progressed, with a weak David free kick and Buchanan’s ferocious effort from distance representing their best opportunities.

But Morocco made matters safe in the final ten minutes through Ounahi’s second, as Brahim Diaz fed through the Girona man to hammer home following a blistering break.

And the North Africans put the icing on the cake with a third goal, as Rahimi produced a composed finish inside the area after heading against the bar with his previous attempt.

Analysis: Canada fail to make pressure pay when it counts

For Canada, tonight’s result will feel like a case of what could’ve been.

45% of Moroccan goals this tournament have come from the right hand side, and for much of tonight’s clash Marsch’s men did a fine job of nullifying the Atlas Lions attacking threat by stationing extra players in this area of the pitch.

Les Rouges also managed to create plenty of chances of their own, particularly in a dominant first half.

But old failings once again reared their ugly head, as not for the first time this tournament the Canucks failed to make those chances count.

The North Americans had 10 shots but only three on target, with just one of the latter coming in the second half.

Throw in an xg of 0.86, and it is clear this is a squad which needs to work on becoming more clinical if they are to mix it with the big boys on a regular basis.

That is not to say such a feat is impossible. Save for their lack of end product Canada played brilliantly in this competition, and showed they have the potential to go toe-to-toe with top sides.

But as the old adage goes, goals win games and Marsch’s charges were unable to grab one when they were on top.

This will not be the last time we see the Canucks in the World Cup last 16, and it would be surprisingly if they didn’t make the last eight – perhaps even better – one day.

But that day will not come this year, as we goodbye to a Les Rouges side that have been one of the highlights of the event so far.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.