Morocco, who last reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 1986, will face the runners-up from Group E in the last 16, with the identity of their opponents decided later Thursday.
Morocco powered into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 36 times on Thursday with a 2- 1 palm over excluded Canada. pretensions from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En- Nesyri assured the North Africans finished top of Group F ahead of 2018 World Cup runners- up Croatia. Morocco, who last reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 1986, will face the runners- up from Group E in the last 16, with the identity of their opponents decided latterly Thursday. Canada’s defeat meanwhile limited a disappointing World Cup for the CONCACAF side, who depart after losing all three of their group games on their long- awaited return to the tests.
Morocco put themselves forcefully on course for the alternate round after disturbing Belgium 2- 0 on Sunday, a result that left them demanding only a point against Canada on Thursday to be sure of advancing.
Achieving that objective no way looked in mistrustfulness after the Moroccans seized the lead after only four twinkles in front of,102 suckers at the Al- Thumama Stadium.
Canada captain and goalkeeper Milan Borjan contended off his line to clear an underhit backpass from Steven Vitoria but could only watch in horror as the ball fell to Morocco’s Ziyech.
The Chelsea star seized the occasion ruthlessly, coolly lifting a finish over the stranded Borjan into the empty net for 1- 0.
That early reversal winded Canada, who plodded to gain any kind of a base against a rampant Morocco who were soon 2- 0 over.
Right- reverse Achraf Hakimi’s long ball caught the Canadian defence napping and En- Nesyri danced in behind before smashing home a finish at the near post to beat Borjan.
Canada pulled a thing back on a rare incursion forward five twinkles from half- time when protector Sam Adekugbe skipped clear down the left and dredged in a low cross.
Protector Nayef Aguerd stuck a leg out and the ball veered into the net history Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make it 2- 1.
Morocco allowed they had restored their two- thing bumper in first- half cessation time when En- Nesyri lashed home eight yards out only for the trouble to be supposed offside.
Canada started the alternate half brightly, with Alphonso Davies picking a shot just wide after a promising attack.
But Morocco dropped deeper and Canada demanded the inventiveness to seriously hang .
Their stylish chance of drawing position came from a setpiece on 71 twinkles, when cover Atiba Hutchinson’s title from a corner crashed off the underpart of the bar and bounced off the thing- line.
Full- reverse Alistair Johnston failed to control the answer and Morocco’s lead remained complete.
Canada captain Borjan nearly got caught out again in another parlous advance in injury time, but Davies was on hand to snuff out the peril before Morocco’s rumbustious suckers erupted in festivity at the whoosh. Know More News…
