Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaRuthless Morocco breaks Canadian hearts to reach World Cup quartersCanada the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Canadian players huddle after losing 3-0 during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco in Houston on July 04, 2026. Photo by Lars Baron /Getty ImagesCanada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favourites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches.After a first half littered with more bookings than shots, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes.Canada — playing the biggest game in their footballing history — pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch’s men.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againSubstitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match.It was tough on Canada, who were the better side in the opening period in front of a crowd of 68,777 as they sought to make more history.They came into the contest in uncharted territory, having won a World Cup match and then a knockout game for the first time to get to the last 16.They were clear underdogs and their fans were outnumbered by Morocco supporters at the air-conditioned Houston Stadium.Yet they looked the more confident at the start, Tani Oluwaseyi turning sharply in the box and forcing Morocco’s Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to save with a stretched-out leg after 10 minutes.From Canada’s fourth corner of the half, defender Alistair Johnston failed to make the most of a free header. Morocco were rattled.After 20 minutes Mohamed Ouahbi’s team suffered a big injury blow, Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari — who had scored three times at the tournament — coming off for Rahimi.Immediately after the drinks break Rahimi had a go optimistically from distance, registering Morocco’s first shot on target with a quarter of the game gone.There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards.Referee Michael Oliver booked six players — four from Morocco — in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goal-mouth action.The build-up to the last World Cup game of seven in Houston, with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday, was the highlight until that point.Morocco, who beat Canada in the group phase at the 2022 World Cup, came out for the second period transformed.Five minutes after the restart Hakimi pinged a low free-kick to Ounahi unmarked outside the box and he swept in first time.Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had his view blocked by two of his defenders and the ball also went through Rahimi’s legs.On 82 minutes, Ounahi was the man in the right place again on the breakaway with another right-footed first-time finish, before Rahimi pounced in the 98th minute.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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