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World Cup 2022 – Canada 1-2 Morocco: North Africans top Group F to reach last 16 for the first time in 36 years.
Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 on Thursday to win World Cup Group F and guarantee a spot in the round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
Despite being placed in a challenging group with teams like Croatia and Belgium, who placed second and third in 2018 respectively, Morocco managed to steal four points from the European teams before holding on to defeat Canada in their final group match.
Hakim Ziyech took advantage of a poor clearing by Milan Borjan to give Morocco the early lead. Morocco needed a win or a draw in their last Group F match to advance to the knockout rounds.
The ball was skillfully lobbed over the stranded goalie by midfielder Ziyech, who was being cheered on by a raucous crowd of Moroccan supporters.
Steven Vitoria, a centre-back, put Borjan in a difficult situation with a poor back pass that required the goalie to outrun Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri to the ball.
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Throughout the first half, En-Nesyri was a threat. He doubled Morocco’s advantage in the 23rd minute by running onto a long pass from Achraf Hakimi and beating Borjan at the near post.
During stoppage time of the first half, En-Nesyri also slammed a volley into the Canadian goal, but the goal was deemed offside.
Morocco finished first in the group and will play second finishers in Group E after Croatia and Belgium drew in the other Group F match.
In the 40th minute, Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd unintentionally flicked a cross from Sam Adekugbe past his own goalie Yassine Bounou to give Canada its first World Cup goal.
Canada, which is leaving its first World Cup without a win since 1986, will automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts alongside the United States and Mexico.