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Great teams are not defined only by the quality of their football when everything goes according to plan. They are judged by how they respond under pressure, absorb adversity and punish opponents when opportunities arise.
Morocco’s commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in the World Cup last 16 on Saturday was a textbook example of that winning mentality.
After spending much of the opening half under sustained pressure, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists produced a clinical second-half display to eliminate the tournament co-hosts and book their place in the quarter-finals.
It was a performance that reflected the qualities associated with football’s elite: composure under pressure, tactical discipline and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
Canada, led by Jesse Marsch, made the brighter start and looked the more dangerous side for long spells of the first half. Backed by a passionate home crowd, they created several promising opportunities and forced Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into important saves.
Rather than panic, Morocco remained compact and disciplined, trusting their defensive organisation to withstand Canada’s attacking momentum.
The breakthrough came five minutes after the restart when Azzedine Ounahi swept home Achraf Hakimi’s low free-kick to give Morocco the lead.
Canada responded by committing more players forward in search of an equaliser, but that only created space for Morocco’s quick transitions.
Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute after a swift counter-attack before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal with the final kick of the match to seal an emphatic victory.
Morocco managed just four shots on target throughout the contest, converting three of them in a display of remarkable efficiency.
“What we’re trying to get across to our players is that we’re playing in a World Cup, which means you go through difficult moments,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.
“What we needed to do was hold on and show resilience when things aren’t going so well.”
Ouahbi dismissed suggestions that Canada had been the better side despite dominating much of the opening period.
“Were they better? Hard to say that when you lose 3-0,” he said. “In the second half, there was no contest.”
He added: “I’m not sure many teams are going to win by that scoreline in the round of 16.”
Morocco’s latest victory highlights the remarkable progress the North African side has made over recent years.
Their run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup was widely regarded as one of the greatest underdog stories in tournament history. Since then, however, Morocco have developed into one of international football’s most consistent teams.
Now ranked sixth in the world and fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations, they no longer rely on surprise results. Instead, they have become a side capable of controlling matches in different ways, whether through attacking flair or disciplined defending.
Their ability to remain patient under pressure before striking decisively has become one of their defining strengths.
With a quarter-final showdown against France awaiting, Morocco have shown they are no longer simply inspiring outsiders. They are an established footballing force with the experience, confidence and tactical maturity to challenge any team on the world’s biggest stage.
ENDS/SB/RIA
