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Morocco edged past Canada to top Group F and reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.
The Atlas Lions, whose previous trip to the last 16 came in 1986, finished above 2018 finalists Croatia, while Belgium – ranked second in the world – are out after finishing third in the group.
A tough test awaits in the next round against the team that finishes second in Group E, which could potentially be Spain or Germany.
Morocco went ahead after just four minutes courtesy of a goalkeeping howler from Milan Borjan.
The Canada keeper sprinted out of his goal but passed the ball straight to Ziyech, who lofted a cool finish into an open net from 30 yards.
The north African side doubled their advantage through Youssef En-Nesyri’s well-taken goal as he controlled Achraf Hakimi’s superb pass before firing in.
But sloppy defending gave Canada a route back into the game when West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd stuck a boot out to divert the ball into his own net – the 100th goal scored at this World Cup.
Knowing if they avoided defeat they would go through, Morocco were happy to sit back and soak up pressure in the second period.
But Atiba Hutchinson came close with a header that rattled the crossbar and dropped down onto the line as Canada’s campaign ended without a point.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
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Canada
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Squad number18Player nameBorjan
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Squad number2Player nameJohnston
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Squad number5Player nameVitória
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Squad number4Player nameMiller
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Squad number3Player nameAdekugbe
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Squad number19Player nameDavies
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Squad number21Player nameOsorio
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Squad number14Player nameKaye
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Squad number11Player nameBuchanan
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Squad number17Player nameLarin
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Squad number10Player nameHoilett
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Squad number13Player nameHutchinson
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Squad number15Player nameKoné
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Squad number20Player nameDavid
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Squad number22Player nameLaryea
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Squad number24Player nameWotherspoon
Line-ups
Canada
Formation 4-4-2
- 18Borjan
- 2Johnston
- 5VitóriaBooked at 84mins
- 4Miller
- 3AdekugbeBooked at 45minsSubstituted forKonéat 61′minutes
- 19Davies
- 21OsorioBooked at 27minsSubstituted forLaryeaat 66′minutes
- 14KayeSubstituted forHutchinsonat 60′minutes
- 11Buchanan
- 17LarinSubstituted forDavidat 60′minutes
- 10HoilettBooked at 7minsSubstituted forWotherspoonat 76′minutes
Substitutes
- 1St. Clair
- 6Piette
- 8Fraser
- 9Cavallini
- 12Ugbo
- 13Hutchinson
- 15Koné
- 16Pantemis
- 20David
- 22Laryea
- 23Millar
- 24Wotherspoon
- 25Cornelius
- 26Waterman
Morocco
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Bono
- 2HakimiSubstituted forJabraneat 85′minutes
- 5Aguerd
- 6Saïss
- 3Mazraoui
- 8OunahiSubstituted forEl Yamiqat 77′minutes
- 4S Amrabat
- 11SabiriSubstituted forAmallahat 65′minutes
- 7ZiyechSubstituted forHamdallahat 76′minutes
- 19En-Nesyri
- 17BoufalSubstituted forAboukhlalat 65′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Hamdallah
- 10Zaroury
- 12Mohamedi
- 13Chair
- 14Aboukhlal
- 15Amallah
- 16Ezzalzouli
- 18El Yamiq
- 20Dari
- 21Cheddira
- 22Tagnaouti
- 23El Khannouss
- 24Benoun
- 25Attiat-Allah
- 26Jabrane
- Referee:
- Raphael Claus
- Attendance:
- 43,102
Live Text
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Match ends, Canada 1, Morocco 2.
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Second Half ends, Canada 1, Morocco 2.
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Offside, Canada. Milan Borjan tries a through ball, but Richie Laryea is caught offside.
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Corner, Canada. Conceded by Youssef En-Nesyri.
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Jonathan David (Canada) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco).
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Ismaël Koné (Canada) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco).
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Foul by Tajon Buchanan (Canada).
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Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Atiba Hutchinson (Canada) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
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Richie Laryea (Canada) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Zakaria Aboukhlal (Morocco).
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Substitution, Morocco. Yahya Jabrane replaces Achraf Hakimi.
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Steven Vitória (Canada) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Steven Vitória (Canada).
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Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Tajon Buchanan (Canada).
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Jawad El Yamiq (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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By Shamoon Hafez
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