With a historic hat-trick, Morocco sweeps Canada and advances to the quarter-finals of the World Cup

Azzedine Ounahi scored a wonderful brace to lead Morocco to a 3-0 victory over Canada, which is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup with the United States and Mexico, to qualify the “Atlas Lions” for the quarter-finals on their way to equaling the historic 2022 achievement.

Five minutes into the second half, Onahi fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the net after a free kick from the right side, executed by Ashraf Hakimi.

In the 82nd minute, Brahim Diaz penetrated the penalty area and dribbled past more than one player, then passed the ball towards the middle of the area to Onahi, who shot the ball wonderfully into the net.

Sofiane Rahimi completed the hat-trick for Morocco in stoppage time.

This victory was only disturbed by the injury and replacement of Ismail Sibari early in the first half.

Morocco, which reached the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar, ended the wonderful adventure of the Canadian national team, which was only participating in its third participation in the finals.

Regardless of today’s result against Morocco, the Canadian national team broke a number of records, including earning the first point in its history in the World Cup and achieving its first victory in the tournament.

If Canada emerged as one of the inspiring stories in the tournament, Morocco arrived there with much greater ambitions.

Four years ago in Qatar, it became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, after defeating Spain and Portugal on its way to finishing fourth.

The “Atlas Lions” were not satisfied with that historic achievement, but four years later they proved that what they achieved in Qatar was not a mere coincidence, as they tied with Brazil to lead their group, before they overthrew the Netherlands, one of the giants of European football, in the round of 32.

Thanks to their tactical discipline, high physical fitness, and technical skills, they continued to advance in the tournament with the confidence of a team that believes in its ability to achieve another successful journey.