First-half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri helped Morocco to a 2-1 win over Canada that saw them secure top spot in Group F and a place in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
Morocco were drawn in a tricky group, including Croatia and Belgium, who finished second and third in 2018 respectively, but took four points off the European sides before holding on for victory against Canada in their final group game.
Morocco will now play the runners-up in Group E – either Spain, Japan, Costa Rica or Germany – with that group being concluded on Thursday evening.
A victory for Croatia over Belgium – who faced off at the same time as Morocco played Canada – could have seen the North Africans drop to second, but it was the Croatians who finished as runners-up after drawing 0-0 with Roberto Martinez’s outfit, who crashed out at the group stage.
Canada, playing at their first World Cup since 1986, pulled a goal back shortly before half-time when Nayef Aguerd inadvertently turned Sam Adekugbe’s cross into his own net, but ultimately finished bottom of the standings, without a point.
Morocco knew a place in the last 16 would be theirs if they avoided defeat to Canada and they were given an early boost on their way to victory by Milan Borjan, when the goalkeeper passed the ball straight to Ziyech, who chipped the ball back over his head and into the empty net after just four minutes.
Morocco then strengthened their grip on a spot in the knockout stages when En-Nesyri ran onto Achraf Hakimi’s through ball before lashing a strike past Borjan at his near post.
Canada struggled to play their way through their opponents, with Tajon Buchanan’s far-post chance from Cyle Larin’s cross their only opening in the first half, but got themselves back into the game through an unlikely source.
Aguerd stuck out a leg as Adekugbe’s left-wing cross flashed across the Morocco box, with the West Ham defender’s touch diverting the ball past Yassine Bounou at his near post.
En-Nesyri had another goal ruled out for an offside against the luckless Aguerd in first-half stoppage time, but the second half saw Walid Regragui’s side take a step back, apparently happy to protect their lead.
