Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech (front) celebrates scoring their first goal with Azzedine Ounahi. PICTURES: REUTERS
Morocco resolutely held on to a 2-1 halftime lead to beat Canada at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
The victory put the North African side on top of Group F with seven points, ahead of Croatia on 5. It was a fantastic show by the Atlas Lions in a tough group that also included Belgium who played a goalless draw with Croatia yesterday before being eliminated.
Morocco will take on Group E runners-up Spain, who lost to Japan 2-1 yesterday, in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
For Morocco Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri scored, while Canada’s sole goal came through an own-goal when Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd accidentally diverted a cross into his goal.
Morocco’s defender Achraf Hakimi wiped away tears after the win that capped a memorable run in the World Cup so far for the North African side and put into words the mood of the team, the fans and their proud countrymen.
“I didn’t think about it, but now I realise we made history,” he said.
“We work very hard and we deserve it.”
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said reaching the Round of 16 was not easy.
“It wasn’t easy, but when you have an opportunity to make history, you remember it,” he said.
Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates scoring their second goal.
“We’ve made lots of people happy this evening, but let’s not stop here. Before the tournament we set an objective - we said we wanted to give everything we’ve got and get out of the group stages. We can tick that box now.”
Morocco last played in the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in 1986 before they were eliminated by West Germany.
The Atlas Lions’ upset 2-0 win over Belgium after a goalless draw with Croatia vastly helped their cause in Qatar 2022.
Morocco’s forte in the recent past has been their tight defence coupled with exciting attacking talent up front. They came into yesterday’s match without conceding any goals in six appearances, going beyond the World Cup. Here in Qatar, they also drew with Croatia 0-0.
They played to their true potential yesterday too till that own goal blotted their copy book.
At half time Morocco led 2-1.
Morocco made their attacking intentions clear from the early stages of the game against the already eliminated Canadian side.
Morocco started scoring in the 4th minutes when Hakim Ziyech sent home a chip shot over Canada keeper Milan Borjan.
Borjan had to dash out of his penalty area following an awful backpass by Steven Vitoria. Although Borjan managed to beat oncoming Youssef En-Nesyri to the ball but he played it straight to Ziyech who was away at least 35 yards. But the Chelsea man prudently chipped the Canadian custodian.
The Atlas Lions doubled their lead in the 23rd minute through En-Nesyri when the Sevilla forward brilliantly held off two Canada defenders and drilled the ball past Borjan at his near post.
Canada won a consolation goal against the run of play through a mistake of their opponents when Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd accidentally diverted a cross into his goal. It was the first own-goal of the Qatar World Cup and the 100th of the tournament.
A Morocco goal was ruled out in the stoppage time in the first half as Aguerd was in an offside position when En-Nesyri struck his volley.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui is thrown into the air by his players as they celebrate qualifying to the World Cup knockout stages.
Canada’s talisman Alphonso Davies would feel that he didn’t get enough passes to his liking during the passage of play.
Canada showed some fighting spirits in the second half.
Canada thought they scored the equalizer in the 71st minute when their 39-year-old substitute Atiba Hutchinson’s header from a corner came crashing down off the bar and bounced on to the goal line.
Morocco’s Canada-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Bono) excelled throughout the game. So did Sofyan Amrabat, the Netherlands-born left-sided midfielder.
Qatar 2022 was Canada’s second appearance in the World Cup finals after their debut in 1986.
The North American side failed to win any matches but their coach John Herdman said his team would leave Qatar with heads held high.
“It’s been the first time in a long time we’ve been here. We’d liked to have been longer but we’ve enjoyed the ride,” Herdman said.
“Our players turned up here to compete. We’ve been fearless in each of the three games and in each of the three games we’ve had something to celebrate."
“This isn’t Canada walking away with our heads down —we leave with our heads held high,” the Englishman said.
