There is no shame in Canada losing to Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The \u201cAtlas Lions\u201d are truly one of the top sides in the world; their No. 6 ranking might not do them justice. In the end, the 3-0 scoreline looked worse than it was, but it was still a Round of 16 chance wasted, no matter the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada dominated the first 45 minutes, putting Morocco on their back feet with a relentless onslaught that yielded 13 touches in the opposition box, five corners and a Grade A (albeit missed) chance for striker Tani Oluwaseyi<\/strong>. Morocco didn\u2019t have a shot until nearly the 28th minute or a touch in Canada\u2019s box until the 44th. Their xG at the conclusion of the half was just 0.02.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the defensive side of the ball, the Canadians forced the Moroccans to the left side as often as possible. There they flooded the Moroccan back line players with a \u201ctrigger press\u201d to force them into uncomfortable passes out of trouble and the occasional giveaway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To say Morocco were on the back feet would be an understatement. They looked frustrated, making late tackles and taking four yellow cards. But there were also encouraging signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Morocco did have a wide possession advantage, typical of a side passing out of their final third more often than not. But when they did put the ball forward, they proved dangerous with long balls over the top. None turned into scoring chances, but did give the feeling of a sleeping giant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The script flipped in the second half. Quickly. Morocco on their front feet; Canada on their heels. It started with a renewed sense of urgency from the African side, highlighted by a more aggressive press on the ball. Rather than opting for the dark arts, they stayed upright and pushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then off a Luc de Fougerolles<\/strong> yellow card chasing \u2014 and taking \u2014 down Soufiane Rahimi<\/strong> on the right wing, Morocco’s first goal came. Star full-back Achraf Hakimi<\/strong> stepped up for the free kick to the right of the Canada goal. With multiple Moroccan players streaking through the crease, he tucked it back outside the 18-yard box to Azzedine Ounahi <\/strong>who was full value for a low strike to the right corner. It was a cheeky play Canada clearly weren\u2019t ready for. 1-0 Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, Canada were chasing and Morocco had their confidence. The pace increased immediately. The match opened up with play going back and forth. With Canada pressing, the tension was palpable. A goal either way could prove decisive. And it did.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the 81st minute, a clean giveaway by Jacob Shaffelburg<\/strong> down the right side was quickly turned into an odd-man break and goal No. 2 for Ounahi. The match was over. A third Moroccan goal through Soufiane Rahimi<\/strong> in the 98th minute added salt to the wound, but meant nothing<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think we showed that in this tournament that we can win big games,” manager Jesse Marsch<\/strong> said in his post-match press conference. “Since I’ve been here, we won big games at Copa Am\u00e9rica. \u2026 Before the tournament, if we would have said round of 16, I think we would have been pretty satisfied. Before today, if you would have said your team’s going to play like that, I would have said, okay, there’s a good chance we’re going to win the match.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the bench but not fit to play. As it’s been for the national team for all but a quarter of an hour since the 2024 Copa America. After tantalizing Canada fans with 15 minutes of impactful play at the end of the South Africa match, there was hope Davies could play 30 or even 45 against Morocco. But, no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe didn’t feel right yesterday in training, and we got an MRI, and it was clear, so the good news was that there was no injury. But his hamstring didn’t feel right, and we were hoping that by the time he woke up that he would feel better,\u201d <\/strong>Marsch said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut he didn’t, and so we wanted to be cautious and make sure that we weren’t risking anything, and obviously at the 60th minute when it’s one-nil would have been great to have him in the match, or even at halftime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe wanted to play so bad; he went and tried to get going himself at halftime, and he said he just wasn’t right. So, we didn’t want to risk it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And there it is. The best Canadian player in history wasn\u2019t fit at the worst possible time. He surely would have added a dimension Canada sorely missed after the opening goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCanada vs. Morocco second 45<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Canada vs. Morocco full match statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
EXPECTED GOALS<\/td> CAN 0.84<\/td> MAR 0.82<\/td><\/tr> POSSESSION<\/td> CAN 45%<\/td> MAR 55%<\/td><\/tr> TOTAL SHOTS<\/td> CAN 10<\/td> MAR 5<\/td><\/tr> TOUCHES IN OPP. BOX<\/td> CAN 33<\/td> MAR 9<\/td><\/tr> CORNERS<\/td> CAN 11<\/td> MAR 1<\/td><\/tr> SHOTS IN BOX<\/td> CAN 6<\/td> MAR 2<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Where was Alphonso Davies?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to bet on World Cup 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n