Azzedine Ounahi struck twice as Morocco swept past co-hosts Canada 3-0 to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals with a devastating second-half performance in Houston.
Canada had dominated the opening 45 minutes with the greater share of possession and chances, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced crucial saves to deny Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi and keep the hosts at bay.
The game turned five minutes after the break when Achraf Hakimi delivered a low, cut-back free kick and Ounahi arrived to finish clinically, giving Morocco a lead they would never relinquish.
Jesse Marsch's side were further hampered by the absence of captain Alphonso Davies, who remained on the bench throughout as he continued to manage an ongoing injury recovery.
Morocco had suffered an early setback of their own when star forward Ismael Saibari, recently signed by Bayern Munich, limped off injured in the 22nd minute. Soufiane Rahimi replaced him and would later have the final say.
The match grew fractious midway through the first half as Hakimi and Richie Laryea were both booked following a physical altercation in the 39th minute, one of seven yellow cards brandished across the contest.
Canada pushed desperately for an equaliser but were caught on the counter-attack in the 82nd minute. Brahim Díaz released Ounahi, who coolly slotted home his second to seal a memorable brace.
Rahimi added gloss deep into stoppage time, firing home in the 98th minute to complete a comprehensive victory that sent the Morocco supporters inside NRG Stadium into raptures on the Fourth of July.
Mohamed Ouahbi's side showed the same knockout pedigree that carried them to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, converting their chances with ruthless efficiency despite Canada's early dominance.
For Canada, the tournament ends in heartbreak after they had made history by reaching the Round of 16 with a victory over South Africa. Their inability to convert first-half pressure proved fatal.
Morocco now advance to face either France or Paraguay in the quarterfinals on July 9 in New England, carrying serious momentum after a performance that blended defensive resilience with devastating counter-attacking quality.
