Morocco has etched its name into football history once more, becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals not one, but twice. In a thrilling display of counter-attacking prowess, they left Canada trailing in their wake, with goals from Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi sealing their passage to the next round. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who took the reins just two months ago following the departure of Walid Regragui, will be jubilant – his team's victory a testament to his tactical nous.
The match was a game of two halves: Canada came out firing on all cylinders in the early stages, but Morocco soon asserted their dominance. Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring with a rocket of a shot, whipped into the top corner from just outside the area after a pinpoint pull-back from Achraf Hakimi. It was a goal that would have been worthy of a more illustrious opponent – and a timely reminder of Ounahi's growing reputation as one of Africa's brightest stars.
Ouahbi's reign has seen a marked shift in Morocco's style, one that promises to be more exciting for fans in the long term. Gone are the days of Walid Regragui's defensive-minded approach – Ouahbi's team is now a force to be reckoned with on the counter, as demonstrated by their clinical finishing against Canada. The coach's tenure has been marked by a more offensive emphasis, one that he successfully employed during his spell in charge of the Under-20s last year.
Despite being forced into an unplanned tactical change after Ismael Saibari's early injury, Morocco showed admirable adaptability and resilience – stifling Canada's momentum with a string of crucial blocks and tackles. Yassine Bounou was imperious in goal, making one particularly important save from Tani Oluwaseyi to ensure his team's progress.
This historic achievement not only cements Morocco's status as a major force on the world football stage but also validates Ouahbi's bold tactical decisions. Clinical finishing proved the difference between victory and defeat – and Morocco's continued journey in the World Cup is a testament to their growing maturity as a team.