Morocco solves the mandatory task against Canada and secures group victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In the round of 16 there is now a duel with Spain.
Morocco have advanced to a World Cup round of 16 for the first time in 36 years. The North Africans defeated Canada 2-1 and thus secured victory in preliminary round group F. The goals for Morocco were scored by Hakim Ziyech (4th minute) and Youssef En-Nesyri (23rd), Nayef Aguerd also scored his own goal (40th minute). .).
Morocco is enough point, Canada already out
The starting position before the game was clear: Morocco was enough to secure a point in the round of 16. Canada was already eliminated after two defeats.
Sabiri and Bono in the starting XI
For the North Africans, regular keeper Bono, who had missed the second group game through injury, was back between the posts. Abdelhamid Sabiri was also rewarded with a starting XI after his wildcard goal against Belgium (2-0). Notable for Canada: Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies started as a right winger.
Ziyech takes advantage of mistakes made by Canada goalkeeper
The game then started furiously. A back pass that came too short from Canada’s central defender Steven Vitoria put keeper Milan Borjan in trouble and lured him well out of his box. The 35-year-old decided against a liberation and instead dribbled against En-Nesyri. However, since the ball bounced far too far from his foot and right into Ziyech’s legs, he was able to easily push in from around 30 meters to take the lead. A symbolic scene.
Because while Morocco was inspired by the goal and gained more and more self-confidence, the Canadians didn’t do much together. The North Africans dominated the game, won almost 70 percent of the duels and were rewarded with another goal before the break. The former Dortmund player Achraf Hakimi sent En-Nesryi on the journey, he stayed ice cold and hit dry in the near corner.
Own goal brings Canada back
Morocco had the game under control and thought they were on course for the next round, but just before the break Canada came back from nowhere with an own goal. Aguerd unstoppably deflected a cross from Sam Adekugbe, unintentionally creating at least some tension. Since En-Nesyri’s supposed second goal was disallowed for being offside (45′ + 3′), the game remained open.
Hutchinson hits the bar
After the change of sides, the footballing quality then decreased significantly. Morocco, who could not have been relegated from the top two places even if they had conceded another goal, did only the bare minimum. Canada dared to come out a little more, but the North Americans didn’t create any really dangerous chances. There was some excitement again in the 72nd minute: After a corner kick, Atiba Hutchinson’s header flew to the lower edge of the crossbar and from there onto the line. Alistair Johnston headed the rebound just over the goal.
In fact, not much more happened in the final phase. Morocco defended the lead – with the exception of a small but inconsequential wobble from keeper Bono (88th) – sovereign over time and then looked in the direction of the parallel game. With Belgium and Croatia going goalless, the underdog’s group victory was perfect.