Canada vs Morocco 1-2: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
All the updates from the World Cup 2022 match between Canada and Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. There were the updates on the Canada vs Morocco World Cup 2022 match on Thursday, December 1.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. There were the updates on the Canada vs Morocco World Cup 2022 match on Thursday, December 1.
- Canada XI: Borjan, Johnston, Vitória, Miller, Adekugbe (Kone, 60′), Osorio (Laryea, 66′), Kaye (Hutchinson, 60′), Davies, Buchanan, Larin (David, 60′), Hoilett (Wotherspoon, 76′).
- Morocco XI: Bounou, Mazraoui, Saïss, Aguerd, Hakimi (Jabrane, 85′), Sabiri (Amallah, 65′), Amrabat, Ounahi (El Yamiq, 77′), Boufal (Aboukhlal, 65′), En-Nesyri, Ziyech (Hamdallah, 76′).
- Morocco are in a great position to reach the knockouts of the FIFA Men’s World Cup for just the second time in their history, but they will need at least a point to be sure of it.
- Canada will not be keen to give up anything easily even though they have already been eliminated, as they search for their first-ever points at the FIFA Men’s World Cup.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
It’s a wrap
There you have it from Al Thumama Stadium. Morocco finish with a notable 2-1 win over Canada to become the first African nation to top a World Cup group since Nigeria’s effort in France in 1998.
When you consider the group also consisted of second-ranking Belgium and Croatia – who reached the final of the previous tournament in Russia – it really does add the proverbial cherry on top.
Canada bows out of the tournament after failing to record a victory but will take some lessons away as they begin their long journey back home.
As for Morocco, they will now have to wait for the final results of Group E to see who their opponents will be in the round of 16.
Thank you for keeping us company today, and do make sure to check out all the details of the match in the report here.
And don’t forget to tune in, as well, to our live blog coverage of the Germany-Costa Rica and Spain-Japan matches as we build up to kickoff.
Morocco advances to the Round of 16 🤩🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #TeamMorocco #FIFAWorldCup @pumafootball pic.twitter.com/9wa8ubuuju
— FRMF (@FRMFOFFICIEL) December 1, 2022
Moroccan fan: ‘Happiest moment in my life’
Moroccan fan Malek Alami, 37, says this is one of the “happiest moments in his life”.
“I have no words, just so many feelings. This is an incredible achievement for us. It will really unite our country,” Alami, who works in the tourist industry in Morocco’s second-largest city, Fez, told Al Jazeera.
“The party will continue until Fajr [morning Muslim prayer],” he added.
Bounou’s Canadian connection
Yassine Bounou was born in Montreal and moved to Morocco at an early age, eventually moving to Spain at 21 years old where he has spent the past decade.
Today, he faced off against his country of birth and started in goal as Morocco made it to the Round of 16 after 36 years. pic.twitter.com/w8BjH1q85S
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 1, 2022
Morocco make history
Morocco🇲🇦 are the FIRST African team to top a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998.
Alphas#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022onMG pic.twitter.com/EpyZk0ZuQU
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) December 1, 2022
Full time: Canada 1-2 Morocco
The final whistle is blown and the Moroccan players storm out on the pitch to celebrate as they seal progression into the round of 16.
The Arab world will have a representative to cheer on as the goalless draw between Croatia and Belgium means they will finish as the leaders of Group F.
Spare a thought for the Canadians, who put in a far better shift in the second half to try and finish off their World Cup campaign on a strong note as they continued to search for an equaliser.
They had their moments, but Morocco proved a cut above ultimately.
Canada win corner on the left
Borjan rushes in for this one as Davies steadies himself for the attempt.
The delivery, however, leaves much to be desired as Canada are quickly given a throw-in attempt.
Borjan is the recipient and tries to cross one in, but it is sent back by the Moroccan defence.
The ball lands at the foot of a Moroccan player as Borjan has to rush back to his net, and thanks to Davies being able to intercept the ball soon after, the chance of a third goal for Morocco comes unstuck.
90+3 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Four minutes added
The fourth official has signalled for four minutes of stoppage time.
Is that going to be enough time for a late Canadian equaliser?
90 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Bounou almost makes calamitous error
Looking to receive a ball from his defender, the goalkeeper notices Davies steaming in at him and is forced to double back into his box.
Bounou is able to gather the ball in time as Davies is inches away from getting a head on it to steer it into the net.
89 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Yellow shown to Vitoria
Vitoria goes into the book for bringing down Hamdallah with his hand as they jostled for an aerial ball.
The defender did not look too pleased with that judgement by the referee.
A final change is also made by the Atlas Lions as Hakimi makes his way off for Jabrane.
84 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
The view from the stadium
With fewer than 20 minutes remaining, the noise in the stadium has reached peak level as Morocco fans sense that progression to the round of 16 is close. Some, however, still look like it is not all over yet, watching the game in nervous silence.
Stadium officials announce that the attendance is 43,102. Al Thumama Stadium’s official capacity is 44,400, according to FIFA.
Miller prevents Morocco break
After winning the ball in their half, Amrabat sets off towards the Canadian end.
He is able to issue a quick pass before being brought down to Hamdallah, who holds on the ball just a bit too long as he is ultimately dispossessed by Miller as he snakes his way to the box.
Canada lucky to get enough bodies behind as they were definitely caught out there for a moment.
81 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
More changes made by both sides
Hoillet is taken off for Wotherspoon.
Morocco also make changes, bringing on Hamdallah and El Yamiq for Ziyech and Ounahi.
77 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Canada win another corner
Hoillet is tasked with taking it again but nothing comes off it for the Canadians.
They continue to pressurise the Moroccan backline as they hunt for that second goal.
74 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Hutchinson rattles the crossbar
Canada continue their charge on the Moroccan end.
This time, Davies is brought down about 30 metres out, just left of the centre of the box.
He sends in a cross which curls towards the right side but Aguerd is able to steer it behind for a right-side corner.
Hoillet takes the corner and manages to locate Hutchinson, who puts in a powerful header.
The ball beats the keeper and clips the underside of the crossbar. It appears to hit the line as the ball bounces on the ground, but ricochets away from the net.
Would have been a superb way to equalise, but alas it is deemed not a goal as the ball did not fully clear the line.
71 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
More changes at Al Thumama
It will be the end of the night for Sofiane Boufal and Abdelhamid Sabiri as Morocco manager Walid Regragui brings on Zakaria Aboukhlal and Selim Amallah, respectively.
Meanwhile, Canada make another change as well, with Richie Laryea coming on for Jonathan Osorio.
65 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Canada continue high press
Morocco don’t seem too keen on adding to their goal tally, despite the slender lead.
Canada continue to remain composed on the ball as they look for inroads past the Moroccan defence.
This is far better than their first-half tactics.
64 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Triple substitution for Canada
Looks like Canada manager John Herdman wants to switch things up with about a half hour of regulation time to go.
He takes off Mark-Anthony Kaye, Sam Adekugbe and Cyle Larin, with Atiba Hutchinson, Ismael Kone and Jonathan David coming on.
61 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Davies attempt goes begging
Hoillet rushes down the right side and sends in a ball to Davies inside of the box.
He is able to get a boot on it, but the shot fails to find the target as the ball goes past the left post.
58 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Canada win free-kick from dangerous area
After Hoillet is taken down on the far-right side, Canada are awarded a free-kick.
Davies sends in the cross but is unable to find a Canadian head or boot as the ball continues past the right side of the goal for a Morocco goal-kick.
56 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Ball goes flat
This is the first time I have witnessed such a thing in the World Cup, but it appears the match ball has deflated somewhat, so a change of ball is called for by the referee.
54 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Fans happy with ‘excellent’ Morocco performance
“They need to defend a bit more,” he told Al Jazeera during the break. “Just don’t run at goal all the time … Canada is not a bad team and obviously they know how to score, as we saw,” the 47-year-old from Muscat, Oman, said.
Canada looking to be positive early on
Morocco seem to be on the back foot as Canada have come rushing out of the gates in the second half.
That late first-half goal has definitely improved their spirits as they look to build on it.
There is also a noticeable change in trying to build up possession through passes, as opposed to sending down hopeful balls from the deep.
50 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Second half under way
After taking a little breather, both teams are out and ready to go for what should hopefully be an exciting second half.
This time, Canada kicks off proceedings.
46 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Half-time: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Both sides head off after what was a crazy last few minutes.
After giving up an early goal thanks to a defensive lapse from Vitoria, Canada looked to have their backs against it.
And once Morocco doubled their advantage, it seemed like they were in for a long night.
However, a fairly decent slice of good fortune due to an unfortunate own goal courtesy of Aguerd ensures Canada go into the half with something to feel good about it as they look to draw level.