Earlier in the World Cup, Morocco beat Belgium 2-0 and played 0-0 against Croatia. The Moroccans thus won the group and will meet the runners-up of group E in the round of 16. Morocco is the second African team to be ready for the cup after Senegal.

Home after three defeats

Canada were eliminated before kick-off in Doha on Thursday and return home after three straight defeats. In four years, they will be one of the three host countries.

The Moroccans took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan served the ball to Ziyech for the first goal. It was a real blunder that led to the first goal of the game.

The Canadians reduced the score to 1-2 on the first own goal of the World Championship. Nayef Aguerd was the last on the ball before it disappeared into the Moroccan net. It happened a few minutes before the break. Thus, the Moroccan buffer of two goals was halved and the tension returned to the game.

First time since 1986

It is the first time since 1986 that Morocco has qualified for the group stage of the World Cup. Then it ended in a 0-1 defeat for West Germany (2-3 loss in the final against Argentina) in the round of 16.

Walid Regragui took charge of the Moroccan national team on August 31st. He replaced Vahid Halilhodžić, who led the team to the World Cup but later fell out with the Moroccan Football Association.

French-born Moroccan Regragui played 45 international matches for Morocco during the 2001-09 period.

WC men Thursday, group F, 3rd round:

Canada – Morocco 1-2 (1-2)

43,102 spectators.

Goals: 0-1 Hakim Ziyech (3), 0-2 Youssef En-Nesyri (22), 1-2 Nayef Aguerd (own goal 39).

Referee: Raphael Claus, Brazil.

Yellow card: Junior Hoilett, Jonathan Osorio, Sam Adekugbe, Steven Vitória, Canada.

Canada (3-4-3): Milan Borjan – Alistair Johnston, Steven Vitória, Kamal Miller – Junior Hoilett (David Wotherspoon from 75), Jonathan Osorio (Richie Laryea from 64), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Atiba Hutchinson from 59), Sam Adekugbe (Ismaël Koné from 59.) – Alphonso Davies, Cyle Larin (59. Jonathan David), Tajon Buchanan.

Morocco (4-3-3): Yassine Bounou – Achraf Hakimi (Yahya Jabrane from 84.), Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss, Noussair Mazraoui – Azzedine Ounahi (Jawad El Yamiq from 75.), Sofyan Amrabat, Abdelhamid Sabiri (Selim Amallah from 64.) – Hakim Ziyech (Abderrazak Hamdallah from 75.), Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal (Zakaria Aboukhlal from 64.).