Canada take on Morocco in the first match of the last-16 as they look to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the very first time.
Jesse Marsch and his ‘Canadian heroes’ have already made history by reaching the last-16 thanks to a 1-0 victory over South Africa last Sunday. Stephen Eustaquio scored the decisive goal in the 92nd minute to send Canada through and there are positive signs that they can impress in Houston today.
But, Morocco are full of confidence having come through a group that included Brazil before defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout during the round of 32. That was a dramatic turnaround as well after Issa Diop cancelled out Cody Gakpo’s strike to send the game to extra time.
The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout to advance but how will they fare against the co-hosts? Well, their already-strong chances might have been boosted by the absence of captain Alphonso Davies in Canada’s starting line-up.
Follow all the updates from Canada v Morocco with our live blog:
Read MoreEngland enter the Azteca cathedral – football’s greatest stadium
The five hours of chaos surrounding England’s World Cup tie that exposed Fifa’s lack of leadership
Canada v Morocco live
- Canada take on Morocco in the World Cup round of 16 | Kick off at 6pm, live on ITV1
- Winner of this match will face France or Paraguay in the quarter-finals
- 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?
- Canada 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 Khannous; Saibari
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 Khannous; 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.
