Canada have started fast against Morocco in their last-16 match at the World Cup with Jesse Marsch hoping to guide the co-hosts into the quarter-finals.
Marsch described his players as ‘Canadian heroes’ and his side started on the front foot with Jonathan David forcing Bono into a fine stop early.
Tani Oluwaseyi then squandered an excellent chance with Canada pushing Morocco back in Houston. Alistair Johnston then flashed a header off target with the co-hosts enjoying a dominant start.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side then suffered a major blow with Ismael Saibari going down with injury and the star striker was forced off after 22 minutes, with Soufiane Rahimi coming into the game.
Follow all the updates from Canada v Morocco with our live blog:
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Canada v Morocco live
- Canada take on Morocco in the World Cup round of 16 | Live on ITV1
- Winner of this match will face France or Paraguay in the quarter-finals
- 40' FIGHT! Hakimi and Laryea booked after needing to be separated following shove
- 23' INJURY! Striker Saibari goes off for Morocco in major blow, with Rahimi replacing him
- Alphonso Davies fails to start for Canada after coming off the bench vs South Africa
- Why has Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi been booed at this World Cup?
HALF-TIME! Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:53 , Alex Pattle45+6 mins: El Khannouss is booked! That’s four of the Morocco players on a yellow card going into the second half.
He gets one for blocking De Fougerolles, with their knees clashing and a hand in the face, too.
The half-time whistle sounds.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:51 , Alex Pattle45+5 mins: Morocco counter, and they briefly look dangerous, but they work the ball too awkwardly out to the left, labouring a bit. One pass finally ends up behind the intended man, and the move breaks down.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:50 , Alex Pattle45+3 mins: We’re halfway through the six minutes of added time.
The game has become quite bitty now. Another Johnston throw leads to a few loose headers, before Sigur commits a foul on Halhal by the corner flag.
It sounds like someone is shouting, “You’re serious?! You’re serious?”, John McEnroe style – it mighttttt be Canada’s (American) coach Jesse Marsch, but I can’t be sure!
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:47 , Alex Pattle45 mins: David is now booked for Canada, joining Laryea.
Soon thereafter, Ounahi gets a yellow card – following Hakimi and Halhal’s earlier.
That’s five bookings overall. Something to keep an eye on in the second half...
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:42 , Alex Pattle40 mins: Uh-oh, uh-oh. There are some unsavoury scenes now, with referee Michael Oliver trying to get ahold of the game.
Hakimi shoved Laryea in the back as the Canadian was sprinting along, sending his opposite full back tumbling to the turf.
Laryea took exception to that, and now some players need separating.
Hakimi is barking at Ahmed. Hakimi is eventually given a yellow card, as is Laryea.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:39 , Alex Pattle38 mins: Johnston with a long throw, not for the first time today, and the ball changes possession numerous times in a frantic fallout.
Another Canadian foul, as Mazraoui goes down under a challenge from Bombito while trying to break for Morocco.
Mazraoui stays down for a while but looks okay to continue.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:37 , Alex Pattle36 mins: Mazraoui gets an elbow in the head from his teammate Halhal, who is also jumping for the ball, and it ricochets out for another Canada corner.
It skims off a head and leads to some pinball in the box, before Morocco draw a foul. Relief.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:33 , Alex Pattle31 mins: I wouldn’t put this game down as one in which the hydration break has swung the momentum.
Canada are still pressing well, and Morocco are still giving the ball away as a result.
Obviously Canada would love a goal as reward for that, though, before half-time.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:31 , Alex Pattle29 mins: A better spell of possession by Morocco here. They’ve been trying the odd long, low ball, trying to catch out a slightly high Canadian back line.
Their first chance in a while comes from a turnover in possession, though, and a short pass into Rahimi, whose low shot is saved fairly comfortably by Crepeau.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:25 , Alex Pattle24 mins: Hydration break time. Marsch gives his Canadian players an animated talk.
SUB! Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:23 , Alex Pattle23 mins: This is a HUGE blow for Morocco. Their striker Ismael Saibari, who has been so good at this tournament, is down for a while in some discomfort, and it’s eventually deemed that he can’t continue.
He’s replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:22 , Alex Pattle21 mins: First booking of the game, as Halhal steps on the foot of Oluwaseyi while they jostle along the sideline.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:20 , Alex Pattle19 mins: Halhal with a great sliding challenge to stop the onrushing Buchanan in the Morocco box. The ball goes out for a corner – Canada’s fourth so far.
Eustaquio chips it in and Johnston meets it with his head, but he can only nod it down, and it’s booted away.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:17 , Alex Pattle16 mins: Ounahi tries to slide a low ball through the Canada back line, but the referee blows his whistle; Hakimi was blocked and fouled by the sideline as he tried to surge forward.
Again, Morocco use the set-piece near the halfway line to pass the ball backwards and try to keep possession.
I get the idea to take the sting out of the game, but they could have sent that into the box and looked to test Canada for the first time today.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:15 , Alex Pattle14 mins: Morocco need to settle down. They lose the ball in their own half AGAIN, this time right on the edge of their box.
But they’re able to regain it and clear, depriving Ahmed and Eustaqui, who are lurking in dangerous positions.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:13 , Alex Pattle12 mins: Another loose moment in the Morocco half, and Canada pick up the ball with tons of space ahead!
Ahmed feeds it into Oluwaseyi, who turns wonderfully on the edge of the box, deceiving his man, but his low shot is kept out by the outstretched leg of Bounou!
Fun, fun start.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:09 , Alex Pattle8 mins: Another corner, and there’s some aerial pinball in the Morocco box!
Bounou punches away the loose ball, then Eustaquio slides a clever pass towards the byline where the ball is crossed in again, but Morocco clear.
Good start by Canada! Can they keep this up?
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:07 , Alex Pattle7 mins: Bounou beats away the corner, which could have crept under his crossbar.
Canada get ahold of the loose ball, chipping it into the box, where it’s nodded on to David...
He’s one-on-one with Bounou, but the angle isn’t kind for the Canadian, and Bounou saves his close-range shot.
Corner again, headed away this time.
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:05 , Alex Pattle5 mins: Buchanan fouls Ounahi now, after the Morocco man beats him one-on-one, up the line.
Morocco are happy to use the free-kick to simply keep possession and slowly work the ball forward.
But they’re caught out near the halfway line, and Canada move the ball out left and then win a corner!
Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:03 , Alex Pattle2 mins: Canada are pressing fairly keenly early on, testing how well Morocco can hold the ball.
The co-hosts even win a free-kick after gaining possession then drawing a foul by the sideline, near the halfway line.
They boot it long... out for a Morocco throw, now.
KICK-OFF! Canada 0-0 Morocco
18:02 , Alex PattleHouston, we have lift-off!
Canada v Morocco seconds away
18:00 , Alex Pattle
The teams are on the pitch!
17:57 , Alex PattleHere we go, people.
Is Canada’s run about to come to an end? Are one of the co-hosts about to go... well, home actually, given they’re playing in Texas here!
Or can they upset Morocco, the champions of Africa?
We’re about to find out!
Canada v Morocco predictions?
17:48 , Alex PattleHow do you see this one shaking out?
I personally see a fairly comfortable win for Morocco, after some flashes of danger from Canada (and a whole lot of heart, without wanting to sound patronising).
Let’s say Canada 0-2 Morocco.
Canada v Morocco edging closer
17:40 , Alex Pattle
Canada v Morocco edging closer
17:32 , Alex PattleMorocco captain Achraf Hakimi making his way onto the pitch to warm up!
The five hours of chaos surrounding England’s World Cup tie that exposed Fifa’s lack of leadership
17:24 , Miguel DelaneyAs Gianni Infantino stood beaming in the Miami stands on an unforgettable night at the World Cup, posing for selfies amid celebrities at the unforgettable Argentina vs Cape Verde match, it was hard not to wonder whether he should have been more focused on what Fifa are actually supposed to be about: running football tournaments.
Because, over five needlessly chaotic hours on Friday, they almost failed at the basics of that: confirming a kick-off time for a football match.
The basic details are worth recapping, all the more so because they are clouded in so much confusion.
Full story:
The five hours of World Cup chaos that exposed Fifa’s lack of leadership
Think Jesse Marsch is performative? Canada’s commander-in-chief has a message for you
17:16 , Kieran JacksonAfter Canada’s second of six goals against Qatar, head coach Jesse Marsch unlocked what was depicted online as a “generational meme.” Running down the sideline, smoothly punching the air with his right hand as if he were an over-excited DJ at the decks in Ibiza, it is rather obvious that Marsch cares little for what people think about him. And against South Africa, he made it known beyond doubt.
Minutes after Stephen Eustaquio’s winner in the second minute of stoppage time sent Canada through to the last-16, Marsch gathered his 26 players and backroom staff in a small circle on the pitch. Adorned in a Team Canada sweater – with a flag the American would later kiss in celebration – Marsch told his team that they had become “Canadian heroes” after a first-ever World Cup knockout win.
It was Marsch-ism at his finest; something out of an “All or Nothing” documentary in real-time. Like him or loathe him, the former Leeds man is a coach who truly believes in the power of unity, passion and togetherness beyond any spiel of footballing tactics or formations. And questioned about the speech in his post-match press conference, Marsch had a message for the naysayers...
More here:
Think Jesse Marsch is performative? The Canada manager has a message for you
T-minus 50 minutes until kick-off!
17:10 , Alex PattleThe first round-of-16 game of this World Cup is edging closer!
T-minus 50 minutes in Houston, Texas.
Why is Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi being booed at the World Cup?
16:58 , Alex PattleMorocco captain Achraf Hakimi has been booed during Morocco’s World Cup games after it was announced he will stand trial in a rape case.
Hours before Morocco’s game against Scotland on 19 June, a French appeals court confirmed that Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case.
The PSG defender, who was part of the French side’s Champions League glory in May, had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge.
That ruling followed recommendations from public prosecutors that Hakimi should face trial.
He denies any wrongdoing.
Why is Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi being booed at the World Cup?
Alphonso Davies fails to start
16:48 , Alex PattleSo, there’s no starting place for Canada captain Alphonso Davies, despite his cameo off the bench against South Africa.
Coming on with 15 minutes to go in that late win, Davies was thought of as a potential starter against Morocco.
However, the full back still isn’t quite fit enough to begin this game.
CONFIRMED LINE-UPS!
16:39 , Alex PattleCanada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Bombito; Laryea; Buchanan, Sigur, Eustaquio, Ahmed; David, Oluwaseyi.
Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
Line-ups incoming!
16:29 , Alex PattleFor any predictions we might have, the official starting line-ups will be announced VERY shortly, so don’t go anywhere!
Morocco team news and predicted line-up
16:23 , Alex PattleChadi Riad was forced off for Morocco against the Netherlands but is in line to start.
There are no injury concerns.
Predicted Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
Canada team news and predicted line-up
16:19 , Alex PattleAlphonso Davies was able to feature off the bench for Canada in their round of 16 tie, and could press for increased involvement here.
It may be that he is kept to an impact role as a substitute after real injury woe in the last couple of years.
Predicted Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Oluwaseyi.
Unsavoury scenes in Netherlands after loss to Morocco
16:13 , Alex PattleWhen Morocco knocked out Netherlands in the last 32, police clashed with Dutch supporters in the Hague.
The Dutch city saw sporadic unrest in areas with a significant Moroccan community. Police in the Hague reported that "heavy fireworks were set off" in the Schilderswijk district, with officers being targeted by fireworks and stones.
Violence erupts in the Netherlands after dramatic World Cup defeat by Morocco
How Canada reached the last 16
16:07 , Alex PattleOur man Kieran Jackson was on the ground in Los Angeles to see Canada’s last-32 win over South Africa:
“When Canada’s concluding moment does eventually arrive this summer, Stephen Eustaquio would be forgiven for not wanting to leave the bright sunshine of California.
“The Canadian midfielder, contracted to Porto, joined Los Angeles FC in February on a four-month loan deal, desperately hunting minutes on the pitch ahead of the World Cup.
“A much-admired member of the squad, Eustaquio tragically lost his mother to brain cancer in April 2023 and his father to a heart attack one year later.
“Now, the 29-year-old is the match-winner in his new home away from home, sending his country through to the last-16 with a dramatic stoppage-time strike.”
Canada snatch last-gasp World Cup winner to break South Africa hearts
All Morocco results so far
15:58 , Alex PattleGroup stage
Morocco 1-1 Brazil
Morocco 1-0 Scotland
Morocco 4-2 Haiti
Last 32
Morocco 1-1 Netherlands (MAR win on pens)
All Canada results so far
15:50 , Alex PattleGroup stage
Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Canada 1-2 Switzerland
Last 32
Canada 1-0 South Africa
All World Cup last-16 games
15:42 , Alex PattleCanada v Morocco – 6pm BST today
Paraguay v France – 10pm BST today
Brazil v Norway – 9pm BST Sunday
Mexico v England – 1am BST Monday
Portugal v Spain – 8pm BST Monday
USA v Belgium – 1am BST Tuesday
Argentina v Egypt – 5pm BST Tuesday
Switzerland v Colombia 9pm BST Tuesday
‘I was at Mexico ‘86 – you could sense the history’: Meet the photographer who took most-liked Instagram photo ever | Kieran Jackson
15:36 , Kieran JacksonIt feels like something of a contradiction for a professional photographer not to be on the world’s most-popular photo-sharing platform, but it was actually a few days after the moment had passed before Shaun Botterill was told of the significance of a simple push of his finger.
Stationed at the end of the Lusail Stadium packed with Argentina supporters at the 2022 World Cup final, Lionel Messi has just led his country to world football’s most prestigious prize and claimed the piece of silverware he has most desired. A jigsaw has its final piece, the trophy has been lifted and Messi, with a smile as wide as Qatar itself, is making his way over to Argentina’s euphoric fanbase.
Meet the World Cup photographer who took the most-liked Instagram photo ever
Morocco's early team news
15:30 , Mike JonesChadi Riad was forced off for Morocco against the Netherlands but is in line to start.
There are no injury concerns.
Predicted Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
Canada's early team news
15:24 , Mike JonesAlphonso Davies was able to feature off the bench for Canada in their round of 16 tie, and could press for increased involvement here.
It may be that he is kept to an impact role as a substitute after real injury woe in the last couple of years.
Predicted Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Oluwaseyi.
Who will the winner face next?
15:18 , Mike JonesIt will be France or Paraguay next up for the successful side.
How can I watch it?
15:12 , Mike JonesViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage from 5.15pm BST on the channel. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
When is Canada vs Morocco?
15:06 , Mike JonesCanada vs Morocco is due to kick off at 6pm BST on Saturday 4 July at the Houston Stadium.
Canada v Morocco
15:00 , Mike JonesThe World Cup round of 16 begins with co-hosts Canada taking on a Morocco side eyeing another deep tournament run.
Semi-finalists four years ago, the north African nation are building well again after coming through a nerve-jangling penalty shootout with the Netherlands in the last round.
Things were tense, too, for Canada, with a 1-0 win over South Africa hard earned and only secured in stoppage time thanks to Stephen Eustaquio’s goal.
Can they keep their run going and set up a quarter-final against France or Paraguay?
Good afternoon!
13:31 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s World Cup action as the round of 16 begins.
Co-hosts Canada take on Morocco in the first match in what should be a fascinating encounter to determine if Jesse Marsch’s men can compete with the African champions.
We’ll have all the team news and updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 6pm.
