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Canada 1-2 Morocco LIVE! Atlas Lions win Group - World Cup 2022 result, match stream and latest updates today

Canada 1-2 Morocco LIVE! Atlas Lions win Group - World Cup 2022 result, match stream and latest updates today

An impassioned Moroccan team clinched a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1986 by defeating the already-eliminated Canadians 2-1 on Thursday, mercilessly capitalising on their opponents blunders.

Morocco, who needed a win or a draw in their final Group F match to reach the knockout rounds, took advantage of a weak clearance by goalkeeper Milan Borjan that landed on the foot of Hakim Ziyech.

Cheered on by a boisterous crowd of Moroccan fans, midfielder Ziyech effortlessly lobbed the ball over the stranded goalkeeper to open scoring in the fourth minute.

Borjan had been placed in an unenviable position by central defender Steven Vitoria, whose weak back pass forced the goalkeeper to race Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri to the ball.

En-Nesyri remained dangerous throughout the first half, doubling Morocco’s lead in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from Achraf Hakimi and beat Borjan at the near post.

En-Nesyri also thumped a volley into the Canadian net during stoppage time in the first half but that goal was ruled offside.

With Croatia drawing with Belgium in the other Group F game, Morocco finish first in the group and will face the second-place finishers in Group E, which is made up of Japan, Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.

Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd put Canada on the scoreboard with an own goal, the first of this World Cup, by accidentally flicking a cross by Sam Adekugbe past his own goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 40th minute.

Canada, who are exiting their first World Cup since 1986 without a win, automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico.

Canada vs Morocco latest news

  • Full match report

Canada 1 - 2 Morocco

History rewritten

17:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Morocco become the first African side to win a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998.

What it means

17:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

Unwanted record

17:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Full match report

17:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

Morocco ensured their qualification for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1986 with a win over the already-eliminated Canada.

The Atlas Lions raced into an early lead through talisman Hakim Ziyech’s brilliant chip after a defensive mix-up from Canada before Youssef En- Nesyri became the first Moroccan to score in back-to-back World Cup games with an emphatic finish.

Read our full match report here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

FT: Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Morocoo have won the group!

The atmosphere has erupted!

Belgium are OUT!

16:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

They’ve drawn with Croatia!

Nervy!

16:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

87:00 - Bono almost gives a goal away by messing up his control outside the box!

Canada ending on a positive note

16:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

78:00 - While four years is a long time to wait, Canada are at least ending their first World Cup campaign since 1986 on a positive note.

CHANCE FOR CANADA!

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71:00 - Hutchinson hits the bar with a towering header!

Canada change

16:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

Much improved from Canada

16:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

61:00 - Morocco now know they’re in a game at least!

CHANCE FOR CANADA!

16:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

57:00 - Davies prods an attempt wide after a good ball from Hoilett.

Really entertaining game

16:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

53:00 - Morocco just look so zippy on the counter, while Canada are trying to give their fans something to shout about.

A really fun feel about this game.

45 mins left for Canada

16:09 , Jonathan Gorrie

46:00 - Surely they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at this? What’s to lose at this point?

Back underway!

16:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

Away we go!

16:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

As it stands

15:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT: Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

Something for Canada to take into the break at least!

GOAL RULED OUT!

15:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

45:00 - En-Nesyri has his second chalked off! Brilliant finish from inside the box but he’s offisde.

Game management now for Morocco

15:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

45:00 - No more silly mistakes here. Things could get nervy.

GOAL! Canada 1-2 Morocco | Nayef Agured own goal ‘40

15:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

40:00 - Wow, a lifeline!

Aguerd deflects a Canadian cross into his own net!

Morocco look dangerous every time they go forward

15:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

39:00 - Some pretty desperate stuff from Canada at the back.

Back underway!

15:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

34:00 - Ah, sorted now.

Technical issue

15:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

33:00 - Game paused while the officials try and fix whatever the problem with their headsets is.

Frustration from Canada

15:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

29:00 - Some silly fouls being given away now, this is going to be a long afternoon for the Maple Leafs.

GOAL! Canada 0-2 Morocco | Youssef En-Nesyri ‘23

15:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

23:00 - En-Nesyri with a brilliant second!

The forward holds off two Canadian defenders before unleashing an emphatic finish from just inside the box.

Morocco currently WINNING the group

15:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

22:00 - Given Croatia and Belgium had been talked up as clear favourites, that is some achievement.

Hoilett involved

15:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

21:00 - He’s looked the most dangerous in a Canadian shirt so far, though Morocoo’s defence is going to take some breaking down.

CHANCE FOR CANADA!

15:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

14:00 - Well, having just said that, Larin tees up Buchannan on the break but he can’t quite get there.

Sloppy Canada play

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13:00 - Some badly overhit passes really allowing Morocco in here.

It’s like they’re fighthing for their lives.

Long way back for Canada now

15:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

10:00 - With Morocco not conceding for 6 games, this looks a huge task for Canada now.

GOAL! Canada 0-1 Morocco | Hakim Ziyech ‘4

15:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

04:00 - AWFUL back pass from Vittoria forces the ‘keeper to clear, though he finds only Hakim Ziyech.

From range, he chips into an empty net.

Fast start

15:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

02:00 - Canada broke through Davies, though were eventually crowded out.

Really quick tempo to this.

CHANCE FOR MOROCCO!

15:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

02:00 - Boufal can’t quite get to a header after a BRILLIANT ball from Ziyech.

KICK-OFF

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And we’re off!

Anthems underway!

14:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go!

10 minute countdown!

14:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

10 minutes before Canada play their final World Cup game for four years.

Time to savour the moment...

Canada could struggle

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Morocoo have kept SIX clean sheets in a row and will become the first African not to concede in a World Cup group stage if they manage another one.

Morocco - dark horses?

14:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

Boasting perhaps the best full-back pair in the World Cup, whose to say Morocco can’t make their deepest run in the tournament yet?

Building up to 2026

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Unwanted record for Canada?

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Another loss would see Canada match El Salvador’s record as having lost all six of their first World Cup matches, obviously stretching back to 1986.

New territory

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Interestingly, this is the first meeting between Canada and Morocco.

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Confirmed Canada lineup

13:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Latest odds

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Betfair: Canada vs Morocco

Canada: 15/4

Draw: 5/2

Morocco: 4/5

Walid Regragui: Morocco are fighting for Africa

13:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

“Obviously, Morocco is my priority,” he said.

“But we’re also African, as Senegal are, as Ghana are, as Cameroon and Tunisia are, so we hope to fly the flag of African football high. Often, we’ve been described as being ‘sub-par’, that somehow African football wasn’t as good as elsewhere.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

When did Morocco last qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds?

13:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

You have to go as far back as 1986 to find the last time Morocco made it into the knockout rounds.

Confirmed Morocco lineup

13:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

What do Morocco need to qualify?

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All Morocco need to do is avoid defeat to Canada and even that might not matter should Belgium fail to beat Croatia.

Good news for Morocco

13:09 , Jonathan Gorrie

Noussair Mazraoui is set to start at left-back having overcome the injury scare he suffered in the opening match against Croatia.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Walid Regragui hails Sofyan Amrabat after World Cup heroics

13:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Morocco manager has been delighted with Amrabat’s performances.

Linked with Tottenham back in January, the Fiorentina star could be set for a move.

“Trust me, Amrabat is a world-class player. He is a ‘key’ player in my plans,” said Regragui.

“I expect him to move to one of the major European clubs after the World Cup.”

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Alphonso Davies sends message to Canada fans

12:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

The Bayern Munich star is reflecting on Canada’s World Cup journey.

“Scoring that first goal against Croatia was truly an amazing feeling,” he said.

“Despite me missing that penalty against Belgium, I had to keep my head up, keep my motivation high. Excellent play from everybody.”

 (AP)
(AP)

John Herdman: Canada won’t change

12:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

John Herdman insists his Canada side won’t be changing their style of play despite losing twice.

“Football people were wondering how we were going to show up,” said Herdman.

“I think we showed up on the front foot and that will be our approach again.

“We will stay committed to our identity and we will go into this match with an opportunity to make some more history.”

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Walid Regragui sends message to Canada

12:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

Walid Regragui insists his Morocco team will not be playing for a draw today.

“We are coming up against a team with nothing to lose,” said Regragui.

“They will be giving it everything right up until the final whistle.

“If we are looking for the draw, that would be a mistake. It would be an error to go into the match thinking you only need to give 20 or 30% because the draw is fine for us.”

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Belgium 0-2 Morocco: Ziyech stars as Atlas Lions earn famous win

12:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

Morocco won a game at the World Cup for the first time in 24 years with a superb performance to beat Belgium 2-0 on Sunday.

Both teams were without key players as Romelu Lukaku remained unfit to start for Belgium and Moroccan goalkeeper Bono pulled out seemingly feeling unwell after the national anthems.

Early Morocco intent gave way to Belgium starting to dominate, Michy Batshuayi denied by substitute goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui in a one-on-one.

But the Red Devils failed to create serious chances and began to slip into a similar lacklustre performance that they put in against Canada to open their tournament.

Read our full match report here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Prediction: Canada to win

12:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

With the Atlas Lions under so much pressure, it is not hard to see them cracking to allow their opponents a famous, if slightly futile, first World Cup win.

A 2-1 Canada win.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco team news: Hakimi a concern

12:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Achraf Hakimi came off early for Morocco against Belgium and will be monitored before this match.

Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal came off the bench to score in that win but an unchanged line-up, if possible, is most likely.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Canada team news: Changes expected

12:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

John Herdman should make changes to the Maple Leafs line-up for this final game.

Junior Hoilett, Ismael Kone and Jonathan Osorio will compete to start while star forward Jonathan David has underwhelmed at the World Cup.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Where to watch Canada vs Morocco

12:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised free-to-air and live on BBC Two, with coverage beginning at 2.45pm GMT.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

 (ES Composite)
(ES Composite)

Welcome

12:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Morocco’s clash with Canada.

Kick-off inside Al Thumama Stadium is at 3pm GMT.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)