Atlantic Post

Morocco and France End Canada and Paraguay’s Run

Canada and Paraguay’s World Cup hopes were crushed in ruthless fashion as Morocco and France stormed into the quarter-finals, turning the knockout stage into a statement of intent and setting up a mouthwatering last-eight clash between two of the tournament’s most compelling sides.

Atlantic Post

July 5, 2026

2–3 minutes

Canada, France, Kylian Mbappe, Morocco, Paraguay, World Cup 2026

Morocco and France End Canada and Paraguay Runs to Set Up Quarter-Final Clash

Morocco and France booked their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, with Morocco beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 and France edging Paraguay 1-0 in a tense Round of 16 double header. The results sent Canada and Paraguay out of the tournament and set up a Morocco v France quarter-final on July 9.

Morocco’s victory in Houston was built on patience, control and ruthless finishing after a shaky opening spell. Canada pressed strongly in the first half and Morocco did not register a shot until the 28th minute, but Azzedine Ounahi changed the game after the restart with two goals, while Soufiane Rahimi added the third late on.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said it was one of those “difficult games with teams playing for their lives” and added that his side “reacted very well in the second half”. Canada coach Jesse Marsch admitted Morocco had “a little bit more quality in the final third”.

The match also carried historical weight for Morocco. Ounahi’s brace made him the first African player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since 2002, underlining the North Africans’ growing pedigree on the global stage. Morocco also reached the quarter-finals for the second World Cup in a row, keeping alive their push for another deep run after their memorable 2022 campaign.

France’s win over Paraguay in Philadelphia was far more attritional. In sweltering 39 degree Celsius conditions, neither team managed a first half shot on target before Kylian Mbappe settled the tie with a second half penalty after substitute Desire Doue was fouled in the box.

France coach Didier Deschamps had warned before the game that he feared Mbappe would be “chopped down”, while Mbappe said France knew what kind of night it would be and that they could “play ugly football”.

Paraguay, who had made life difficult throughout the contest, were left to reflect on a narrow exit after VAR upheld the penalty decision. Coach Gustavo Alfaro said he could not be “objective” over the incident and later added that he left the World Cup with “peace of mind knowing that we played”, even while admitting the defeat left him with “open wounds”.

France, meanwhile, continue their chase for a third World Cup crown and now face Morocco in one of the standout ties of the knockout stage.