Morocco gamers have fun by tossing the pinnacle coach Walid Regragui into the air on the finish of the World Cup group F match in opposition to Canada. AP
Doha: Morocco powered into the final 16 of the World Cup for the primary time in 36 years on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over eradicated Canada.
Targets from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured the North Africans completed prime of Group F forward of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
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Morocco, who final reached the knockout levels of the World Cup in 1986, will face the runners-up from Group E within the final 16, with the id of their opponents determined later Thursday.
Canada’s defeat in the meantime capped a disappointing World Cup for the CONCACAF aspect, who depart after dropping all three of their group video games on their long-awaited return to the finals.
Morocco put themselves firmly on target for the second spherical after upsetting Belgium 2-0 on Sunday, a outcome that left them needing solely a degree in opposition to Canada on Thursday to make certain of advancing.
Reaching that goal by no means seemed unsure after the Moroccans grabbed the lead after solely 4 minutes in entrance of 43,102 followers on the Al-Thumama Stadium.
Canada captain and goalkeeper Milan Borjan raced off his line to clear an under-hit backpass from Steven Vitoria however might solely watch in horror because the ball fell to Morocco’s Ziyech.
The Chelsea star seized the chance ruthlessly, coolly lifting a end over the stranded Borjan into the empty internet for 1-0.
That early setback winded Canada, who struggled to achieve any kind of a foothold in opposition to a rampant Morocco who have been quickly 2-0 up.
Proper-back Achraf Hakimi’s lengthy ball caught the Canadian defence napping and En-Nesyri darted in behind earlier than smashing dwelling a end on the close to publish to beat Borjan.
Canada pulled a purpose again on a uncommon foray ahead 5 minutes from half-time when defender Sam Adekugbe skipped clear down the left and rifled in a low cross.
Defender Nayef Aguerd caught a leg out and the ball deflected into the online previous Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make it 2-1.
Morocco thought that they had restored their two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time when En-Nesyri lashed dwelling eight yards out just for the hassle to be deemed offside.
Canada began the second half brightly, with Alphonso Davies jabbing a shot simply vast after a promising assault.
However Morocco dropped deeper and Canada lacked the inventiveness to noticeably threaten.
Their greatest likelihood of drawing stage got here from a setpiece on 71 minutes, when substitute Atiba Hutchinson’s header from a nook crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the goal-line.
Full-back Alistair Johnston failed to regulate the rebound and Morocco’s lead remained intact.
Canada captain Borjan nearly acquired caught out once more in one other dangerous advance in harm time, however Davies was readily available to snuff out the hazard earlier than Morocco’s raucous followers erupted in celebration on the whistle.
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