Canada vs Morocco 1-2: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

There you have it from Al Thumama Stadium. Morocco finish with a notable 2-1 win over Canada to become the first African nation to top a World Cup group since Nigeria’s effort in France in 1998.

When you consider the group also consisted of second-ranking Belgium and Croatia – who reached the final of the previous tournament in Russia – it really does add the proverbial cherry on top.

Canada bows out of the tournament after failing to record a victory but will take some lessons away as they begin their long journey back home.

As for Morocco, they will now have to wait for the final results of Group E to see who their opponents will be in the round of 16.

Thank you for keeping us company today, and do make sure to check out all the details of the match in the report here.

And don’t forget to tune in, as well, to our live blog coverage of the Germany-Costa Rica and Spain-Japan matches as we build up to kickoff.

Morocco advances to the Round of 16 🤩🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #TeamMorocco #FIFAWorldCup @pumafootball pic.twitter.com/9wa8ubuuju

— FRMF (@FRMFOFFICIEL) December 1, 2022

Moroccan fan Malek Alami, 37, says this is one of the “happiest moments in his life”.

“I have no words, just so many feelings. This is an incredible achievement for us. It will really unite our country,” Alami, who works in the tourist industry in Morocco’s second-largest city, Fez, told Al Jazeera.

“The party will continue until Fajr [morning Muslim prayer],” he added.

Yassine Bounou was born in Montreal and moved to Morocco at an early age, eventually moving to Spain at 21 years old where he has spent the past decade.

Today, he faced off against his country of birth and started in goal as Morocco made it to the Round of 16 after 36 years. pic.twitter.com/w8BjH1q85S

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 1, 2022

Morocco🇲🇦 are the FIRST African team to top a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998.

Alphas#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022onMG pic.twitter.com/EpyZk0ZuQU

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) December 1, 2022

The final whistle is blown and the Moroccan players storm out on the pitch to celebrate as they seal progression into the round of 16.

The Arab world will have a representative to cheer on as the goalless draw between Croatia and Belgium means they will finish as the leaders of Group F.

Spare a thought for the Canadians, who put in a far better shift in the second half to try and finish off their World Cup campaign on a strong note as they continued to search for an equaliser.

They had their moments, but Morocco proved a cut above ultimately.

Borjan rushes in for this one as Davies steadies himself for the attempt.

The delivery, however, leaves much to be desired as Canada are quickly given a throw-in attempt.

Borjan is the recipient and tries to cross one in, but it is sent back by the Moroccan defence.

The ball lands at the foot of a Moroccan player as Borjan has to rush back to his net, and thanks to Davies being able to intercept the ball soon after, the chance of a third goal for Morocco comes unstuck.

90+3 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

The fourth official has signalled for four minutes of stoppage time.

Is that going to be enough time for a late Canadian equaliser?

90 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Looking to receive a ball from his defender, the goalkeeper notices Davies steaming in at him and is forced to double back into his box.

Bounou is able to gather the ball in time as Davies is inches away from getting a head on it to steer it into the net.

89 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Vitoria goes into the book for bringing down Hamdallah with his hand as they jostled for an aerial ball.

The defender did not look too pleased with that judgement by the referee.

A final change is also made by the Atlas Lions as Hakimi makes his way off for Jabrane.

84 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

With fewer than 20 minutes remaining, the noise in the stadium has reached peak level as Morocco fans sense that progression to the round of 16 is close. Some, however, still look like it is not all over yet, watching the game in nervous silence.

Stadium officials announce that the attendance is 43,102. Al Thumama Stadium’s official capacity is 44,400, according to FIFA.

After winning the ball in their half, Amrabat sets off towards the Canadian end.

He is able to issue a quick pass before being brought down to Hamdallah, who holds on the ball just a bit too long as he is ultimately dispossessed by Miller as he snakes his way to the box.

Canada lucky to get enough bodies behind as they were definitely caught out there for a moment.

81 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Hoillet is taken off for Wotherspoon.

Morocco also make changes, bringing on Hamdallah and El Yamiq for Ziyech and Ounahi.

77 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Hoillet is tasked with taking it again but nothing comes off it for the Canadians.

They continue to pressurise the Moroccan backline as they hunt for that second goal.

74 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Canada continue their charge on the Moroccan end.

This time, Davies is brought down about 30 metres out, just left of the centre of the box.

He sends in a cross which curls towards the right side but Aguerd is able to steer it behind for a right-side corner.

Hoillet takes the corner and manages to locate Hutchinson, who puts in a powerful header.

The ball beats the keeper and clips the underside of the crossbar. It appears to hit the line as the ball bounces on the ground, but ricochets away from the net.

Would have been a superb way to equalise, but alas it is deemed not a goal as the ball did not fully clear the line.

71 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

It will be the end of the night for Sofiane Boufal and Abdelhamid Sabiri as Morocco manager Walid Regragui brings on Zakaria Aboukhlal and Selim Amallah, respectively.

Meanwhile, Canada make another change as well, with Richie Laryea coming on for Jonathan Osorio.

65 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Morocco don’t seem too keen on adding to their goal tally, despite the slender lead.

Canada continue to remain composed on the ball as they look for inroads past the Moroccan defence.

This is far better than their first-half tactics.

64 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Looks like Canada manager John Herdman wants to switch things up with about a half hour of regulation time to go.

He takes off Mark-Anthony Kaye, Sam Adekugbe and Cyle Larin, with Atiba Hutchinson, Ismael Kone and Jonathan David coming on.

61 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

Hoillet rushes down the right side and sends in a ball to Davies inside of the box.

He is able to get a boot on it, but the shot fails to find the target as the ball goes past the left post.

58 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco

After Hoillet is taken down on the far-right side, Canada are awarded a free-kick.

Davies sends in the cross but is unable to find a Canadian head or boot as the ball continues past the right side of the goal for a Morocco goal-kick.

56 mins: Canada 1-2 Morocco