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:
Canada 0-0 Morocco
14 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
12 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
8 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
7 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
5 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
2 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.
The teams are on the pitch!
Here 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!
