Morocco up next as Canada bid to extend dream World Cup run to the quarter-finals
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An ecstatic Canada team celebrating with goalscorer Stephen Eustaquio (No. 7) after his injury-time winner in their 1-0 World Cup last-32 success over South Africa on June 28. The Canadians will next face Morocco in the last 16 on July 4.
PHOTO: AFP
- Canada have made a historic World Cup run, earning their first point and win, and now face Morocco for a quarter-final spot on July 3.
- Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, have strong experience and high ambitions, having defeated top teams like the Netherlands and drawn with Brazil.
- Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch embraces the challenge despite pressure, while Morocco’s manager Mohamed Ouahbie stresses using all tools to advance further.
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HOUSTON – Canada’s remarkable World Cup adventure has already secured the team a place in the country’s sporting folklore, and on July 4 they face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Making only their third appearance at the tournament, the Canadians have captured the imagination of a nation more accustomed to celebrating ice hockey heroes than football stars.
Their talisman Alphonso Davies played his first minutes at this edition in their 1-0 last-32 victory over South Africa as a 75th-minute substitute, and could start in Houston against Morocco.
The pressure that may have burdened Canada before the tournament has largely evaporated and no matter what result they get against their African opponents, they have already achieved several milestones – including earning their first point and winning their first game at a World Cup.
That sense of freedom may be one of their greatest assets, but their coach is not taking anything for granted.
“Preparing for Morocco is like a gory, horrible nightmare,” Canada boss Jesse Marsch said. “(But) we want to be here and we expect to be here. So we know that everybody’s going to write us off, and in that is an opportunity.”
Luc de Fougerolles has been one of Canada’s standout performers so far, but he admits every game is a chance for him to grow as he prepares for their next match.
The 20-year-old defender, who is on the books of English Premier League side Fulham, started all three group-stage games and came off the bench against South Africa, showing all the hallmarks of a seasoned veteran.
“I just kind of love playing in the big games, and I feel like in this tournament you have to grow up,” he told reporters in Houston on July 2. “It’s tough when everything comes quickly as well, so you learn during the tournament.
“I’ve learnt some good lessons in the group stage, especially, and in the last knockout game. And I’m ready to keep learning and growing.”
Morocco are unlikely to be swayed by sentiment. If Canada have emerged as one of the tournament’s feel-good stories, the Moroccans arrived with much loftier ambitions.
At the 2022 edition in Qatar, they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, defeating heavyweights Spain and Portugal in their remarkable run to fourth spot.
Far from being satisfied with that ground-breaking achievement, the Atlas Lions have proved four years later that it was no anomaly, drawing with Brazil in the group stage before eliminating European powerhouses the Netherlands in the last 32.
Organised, athletic and technically gifted, they have progressed through the competition with the confidence of a team who believe another deep run is possible.
Canada are playing in entirely new territory, fuelled by momentum and enthusiasm. Morocco’s squad still contain many of the leaders from their 2022 semi-final run, and that experience could prove decisive.
“If we get things wrong, we’ll go home,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.
“So we need to ensure that we have all the tools and we’re using the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can.” REUTERS, AFP
