Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri gave a two-goal lead to Morocco inside the opening 23 minutes before Canada pulled one back courtesy of an own goal by Nayef Aguerd.
Follow Us
Morocco beat Canada 2-1 at Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday to secure a spot in the last-16 stage World Cup for the first time in 36 years. The victory helped the Atlas Lions to secure top spot in Group F, with seven points to their name from three games, and they will meet runner-ups of Group E Spain in the round of 16 encounter on Tuesday. Hakim Ziyech put the Africans in front inside the opening four minutes, before Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd-minute. Although Canada pulled one back courtesy of an own goal by Nayef Aguerd, the Atlas Lions managed to hold on to the slender lead and secured all three points.
The best of today’s win 📸#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #TeamMorocco #FIFAWorldCup @pumafootball pic.twitter.com/4WeqB1mjFD
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) December 1, 2022
Morocco, who needed just a point from their final group-match to reach the knockouts, took advantage of a weak clearance from Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan that went straight to Ziyech. The Chelsea-man chipped the ball over an out of position Borjan and into the back of the net to open the scoring. Things got worse for John Herdman’s side when Youssef En-Nesyri latched on to a long ball from right-back Achraf Hakimi and slotted home past Borjan at the near post.
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2022: Twitter reacts as Japan defeat Spain in Group E stage
Canada reduced the deficit courtesy of some fine work down the left flank by Sam Adekugbe and a bit of luck. The left-back got past Hakimi with ease before firing in a low cross, which was deflected into the Moroccan net by Nayef Aguerd, five minutes before the break. Meanwhile En-Nesyri was a threat throughout the opening half and put the ball inside the net on the stroke of half-time, but the linesman had raised the flag for offside. Canada came up with a much improved performance in the second half and struck the woodwork, courtesy of a thunderous header by Atiba Hutchinson.
Twitter was buzzing as the people were going crazy about Morocco beating Canada to enter the knockouts of Qatar World Cup. Lets see some tweets and memes from some fans from all over the world.
moroccan supporters best supporters im so serious 😭😭😭 #TeamMorocco #MARCAN pic.twitter.com/wC7QFLjMkv
— hiba🐻❄️ | #1 🇲🇦 cutie g (@kyeomapologist) December 1, 2022
Morocco advances to the Round of 16 🤩🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #TeamMorocco #FIFAWorldCup @pumafootball pic.twitter.com/jFhuGmaJU5
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) December 1, 2022
Morocco edge past Canada to top Group F and reach #FifaWorldCup knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.
Report from Al Thumama: https://t.co/azPzydAj0r #Mar pic.twitter.com/XMMx0ey8e1
— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) December 1, 2022
