Canada saw their FIFA World Cup hopes end as they were defeated by Morocco 3-0 in Texas. France secured their quarter-final berth with a controlling win over Paraguay.
Morocco previously beat Canada in the World Cup in Qatar. Both were drawn into the same group of that tournament.
Canada 0 – 3 Morocco
Morocco may have started with the bulk of possession, but it was Canada that jumped up with the quality chances.
Tani Oluwaseyi had the best opportunity of the opening 15 minutes. Ali Ahmed fed a low cross into the box from the left into the path of Oluwaseyi.
The striker controlled the ball well and got off a hard, low shot, but it was saved strongly by Morocco’s keeper, Yassine Bounou.
In possession, Canada pushed bodies forward, often leaving only three at the back as they moved Richie Laryea forward to overlap with Ahmed. The increased attacking presence put pressure on Morocco, leaving the Atlas Lions frustrated by Canada’s quick ability to recover balls through overloaded numbers.
Emotions were high in the game given the importance of either a quarter-final berth or elimination. Referee Michael Oliver handed out six yellow cards in the first 45 minutes, two to Canada and four to Morocco.
But as the half wound down, neither side had found the back of the net. Canada went into the break the happier of the two nations, given the direction of the match and the number of chances.
The halftime break gave Morocco a much-needed breather and reset, and they took advantage with an early goal in the second half.
Azzedine Ounahi received the ball at the top of the box from an Achraf Hakimi free kick. He one-timed it through traffic into the corner of the net, past Maxime Crepeau, putting Morocco up by one in the 50th minute.
Morocco added a second goal in the 82nd minute. A quick transition put the Atlas Lions on the break as a long switch of play found Brahim Díaz inside the box.
Díaz played in Ounahi as he entered the box. His shot beat Crepeau, leaving the keeper flatfooted.
Morocco put all questions of the match to bed with a third goal, scored by Soufiane Rahimi.
It would be the African nation moving into the quarter-final, a date with France awaiting them in a few days.
France 1 – 0 Paraguay
There was no question that France would dominate this match in terms of possession and opportunities. Throughout the first half, that was exactly what was on display.
However, Paraguay had a game plan. They did not seek to match France in the areas the European giants controlled; rather, Paraguay attempted to frustrate their opponents and stifle them with an organized defence.
And Paraguay was effective over the first 45 minutes. Their back line of five players, with Andres Cubas acting as the hunter just above them, made it difficult for France to enter the box with any true attacking intent.
France was held to long shots or playing the ball laterally around the box as they probed for any sign of potential entry. They had five shots in the half, none on target, each one a very low xG opportunity.
But Paraguay also had nothing going forward. They completed the first half with only two shots, none on target, and zero touches inside the box. As an attacking threat of their own, they were completely nullified.
It was more of the same throughout the beginning of the second half. Paraguay did find a few entries into France’s 18-yard box, but the Europeans remained calm.
They finally got their chance in the 70th minute. Second-half substitute Désiré Doué was brought down inside Paraguay’s 18-yard box, and after a call to the pitch-side monitor, a penalty was given.
Kylian Mbappé stepped to take it once the dust settled, giving France the goal they deserved.
Paraguayan keeper Orlando Gill kept the score at one for France with a double save on Mbappé. But Paraguay offered nothing in the other direction.
France’s sole goal was enough as they booked a match with Morocco in the quarter-final.
Up next
Brazil plays Norway in tomorrow’s opening match. England travels to Mexico to take on the co-hosts.
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