Morocco have become the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on more than one occasion, after dismantling Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Azzedine Ounahi was the architect of the victory, scoring twice to sink the co-host nation and send the Atlas Lions marching into the last eight for the second consecutive World Cup.

Ounahi doubles up

The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when Ounahi collected a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and drove a right-footed effort through a crowd of defenders from outside the box, finding the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, converting a right-footed shot from the centre of the box after being set up by Brahim Díaz, putting Morocco firmly in control at 2-0.

Soufiane Rahimi sealed the result deep into stoppage time, capping a commanding performance from the Atlas Lions.

Morocco's historic achievement

The win marks Morocco's second straight quarterfinal appearance at the World Cup, having made history in 2022 as the first African side to reach the semifinals. No other African team has advanced this far at the tournament more than once.

Morocco now advance to face the winner of the Paraguay–France tie, with the quarterfinal scheduled for Thursday at Boston Stadium.

Canada's run comes to an end

For Canada, the defeat brings a close to a remarkable chapter in the nation's football history. As co-hosts, they became the first Canadian team to win a knockout stage match at the World Cup — defeating South Africa 1-0 in the previous round — before falling to Morocco's superior quality.