In brief
- Despite the win, Morocco suffered a major blow as leading scorer Ismael Saibari had to leave with an injury.
- France are taking on Paraguay in the final match of the day in Philadelphia.
Morocco snuffed out co-host Canada's World Cup dream to book their place in the quarter-finals on Sunday as France braced for furnace-like temperatures in their last 16 clash against Paraguay.
Two goals from Azzedine Ounahi and an injury-time effort from Soufiane Rahimi sealed a 3-0 victory for Morocco in Houston, sending the African champions into a quarter-final meeting against the winner of France and Paraguay's game in Philadelphia today.
Morocco, who had produced a superb performance to eliminate the Netherlands in the last 32, were made to work hard for victory against the Canadians, who dominated the early exchanges of a physical contest in Houston.
But the Atlas Lions made the crucial breakthrough just after half-time when Ounahi swept in a powerful low shot from the edge of the area.
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Ounahi made victory inevitable eight minutes from time with his second before Rahimi's late goal on the counter-attack left Canada heading for the tournament exit.
"We are very happy," Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. "It's a World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives. Canada were impressive — they played a top match. It was no surprise for us but in the second half we were able to profit from the space they left us — that was the key."
However, Morocco, suffered a major blow in the 22nd minute when leading scorer Ismael Saibari had to leave with a possible hamstring injury.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he believed his team had been the superior side but paid the price for poor finishing.
"We were the better team," Marsch said. "It's just they had a bit of quality in the final third and we lacked the ability to make a play when we needed to."
Morocco's victory raises the prospect of a possible World Cup showdown with France — a repeat of their 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar.
France aim to beat the heat
France will aim to advance to that meeting today as they face the Paraguayans in Philadelphia, amid extreme heat warnings as Americans celebrate Independence Day.
Temperatures in the Pennsylvania metropolis touched 37C on Sunday ahead of the 7am AEST kickoff.
France have been the outstanding team of the tournament so far, producing a series of scintillating attacking displays to surge into the last 16, scoring 13 goals in four games.
France will likely be without midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, however, ruled out with a thigh injury, according to reports. His place should be taken by Manu Kone.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said the South Americans were more concerned by the "storm" of France's multi-pronged attack than the weather.
"France are like an electrical storm. We need to be aware that the storm is coming and try to be prepared for the lightning bolts," Alfaro said.
— With reporting by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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