Hakimi's Morocco cruises past Canada and into quarters
Men's football•
A Morocco side captained by Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi beat Canada 3–0 at Houston's NRG Stadium in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night.
Having defeated the Netherlands after a breathless penalty shootout in the previous round, the Atlas Lions yesterday took on Canada – one of the three hosts of this summer's World Cup – with the aim of booking their tickets for the quarter-finals.
Mohamed Ouahbi's men reacted perfectly to what had been a tough first half by opening the scoring just five minutes into the second through Azzedine Ounahi's strike from Hakimi's ideal assist. The Girona FC man then bagged himself a brace in the 80th minute, before Soufiane Rahimi capped off his side's attacking masterclass with a third goal deep into added time.
After being named as Morocco's captain for this last-16 tie, the Paris right-back played the entirety of the match and registered his third goal involvement at the tournament. Now, thanks to France's win over Paraguay, he is set to be reunited with four of his club teammates in the next round.
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Last 16
NRG Stadium (Houston, United States)
Goals: Ounahi (50', 80') and Rahimi (90'+8).
CANADA: Crépeau, Johnston, Bombito, de Fougerolles, Laryea (Shaffelburg, 78'), Buchanan (Nelson, 87'), Sigur (Osorio, 87'), Eustáquio, Ahmed (P. David, 78'), J. David, Oluwaseyi (Larin, 63'). Coach: Jesse Marsch.
MOROCCO: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop (Saadane, 87'), Halhal, Mazraoui, Bouaddi (Amrabat, 63') El Aynaoui, Díaz, Ounahi (El Mourabet, 87'), El Khannouss (Talbi, 63'), Saibari (Rahimi, 22'). Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi.
