Canada dug themselves a hole early on Thursday and couldn’t find a way out despite a late surge, exiting the World Cup without a win for the second time in 36 years after a disappointing 2-1 loss to the morocco
Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Morocco’s No.22, who took advantage of Canada’s awful defense to take a 2-0 lead after 23 minutes. Canada got a Nayef Aguerd own goal to cut the lead to 2-1 at halftime.
The Moroccans flooded the field at the final whistle, having secured their place at the top of Group F and a place in the last 16.
“It’s been the first time in a long time to be here,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “We wish we could have been here longer, that’s for sure. But we’ve enjoyed the ride.”
The 41st-ranked Canadians gave the ball away at will and were second best to the fast-paced and opportunistic Atlas Lions, whose counter-attack had Canada reeling in the first half.
Canada coach John Herdman switched from the no-jacket field on top of Canada’s tracksuit to the jacket as he tries to find a winning combination on and off the field. But there was little flow in the Canadian attack until he started making substitutions on the clock.
This led to a period of pressure in Canada with Morocco barely hanging on. The Canadians came close in the 71st minute when substitute Atiba Hutchinson’s header off a corner hit the crossbar and bounced onto the ground untouched, but just short of the goal line.
Canada’s Sam Adekugbe, left, and Alphonso Davies, right, celebrate after a Nayef Aguerd own goal cut Morocco’s lead to 2-1 before the break. (Getty Images)
Hutchinson, in his 101st appearance for Canada, held his head in disbelief as the Moroccan fans behind the goal gasped.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou almost lost control of the ball in the 87th minute but held on to avoid disaster and the Atlas Lions survived four minutes of stoppage time, with Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan heading in a corner as fans roared their sides.
“We struggled for a period,” Herdman said. “I think we were on the ropes for periods in the first 20 minutes, but we came back, we adjusted. I think we showed that resilience to get through that tough time. And we got bent but we didn’t break. pushed.”
The Canadians finish the tournament with zero points, having lost 1-0 to No. 2 Belgium and 4-1 to No. 12 Croatia in their first two games.
And while the Canadians earned plaudits for their performance against Belgium and Alphonso Davies scored his first ever men’s soccer showcase goal in the Croatia game, they still exited the tournament with one result in two trips in the World Cup.
Canada went 0-3-0 at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, losing 1-0 to France and 2-0 to Hungary and the Soviet Union.
Davies’ goal proved to be a bow in a World Cup display that went downhill after a strong start.
No. 12 Croatia also continued after a 0-0 draw with No. 2 Belgium in the other Group F match, which started simultaneously.
Morocco began with a 16-pass sequence from the kick-off, which resulted in a cross across the Canadian penalty area. It got worse for Canada after that.
Having scored 68 seconds into the match against Croatia last time out, it was Canada who got off to a disastrous start this time after defender Steven Vitoria hit a back pass attempt in the fourth minute.
Aguerd and Ziyech celebrate Morocco’s win over Canada. (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Borjan has come out of his penalty area with En-Nesyri advancing towards him. But instead of throwing the ball to safety, Borjan seemed torn about whether to pass or clear. Instead, the ball went straight to Ziyech, who fired it into the goal from distance as Borjan desperately tried to get back to his goal line.
Borjan put his hands on his hips and turned away in disgust as FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered a puzzled smile from his box.
Canada was involved in the first two goals scored in the first five minutes of the tournament.
En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd minute after a long ball from Paris Saint-Germain star full-back Achraf Hakimi split the Canadian defence. The Sevilla striker beat Vitoria and Kamal Miller, controlling the ball with his left foot and beating Borjan under the arm with a low shot from the right.
Sam Adekugbe threw Canada a lifeline in the 40th minute, beating a defender down the left flank and putting a ball on goal that deflected Aguerd’s outstretched foot past Bounou.
Canada fans react after a Morocco goal. (Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)
Morocco outshot Canada 8-2 (3-0 in shots on goal) in the first half.
Morocco drew 0-0 in Croatia before beating Belgium 2-0 and went into Thursday’s match knowing a win or a draw would send them into the last 16 for the second time in six World Cup appearances .
For the Canadian men, the race now begins for a home World Cup with Canada, Mexico and the United States co-hosting an expanded 48-team tournament in 2026.
Herdman made four changes to his starting XI, revamping his midfield in the process with Adekugbe, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jonathan Osorio and Junior Hoilett replacing Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Richie Laryea and Jonathan David.
Eustachian (hamstring) was an injury concern before the game. Borjan captained Canada in Hutchinson’s absence.
Borjan reacts after Morocco’s first goal. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Bounou, born in Montreal but raised in Morocco, turned down an offer to wear Canadian colors from former Canada coach Benito Floro before playing for Morocco.
Fans from both countries turned up the volume at the Al Thumama Stadium from the start, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Attendance was announced at 43,102.
After going ahead, the Moroccans kept up the pressure. Canada finally had a chance in the 15th minute when a sliding Tajon Buchanan missed his boot on a low Cyle Larin cross that crossed the box.
A first-half goal from En-Nesyri after a Moroccan free-kick was flagged for offside.
Herdman sent on Hutchinson, David and Ismael Kone in the 60th minute to try and spark a comeback. Laryea followed five minutes later with David Wotherspoon entering the game in the 76th.
Morocco entered the match with a 3-9-6 World Cup record, having defeated Portugal 3-1 in 1986 and Scotland 3-0 in 1998, as well as Belgium.
Morocco, who had not conceded a goal in their previous six games, were aiming to win back-to-back World Cup games for the first time.