Canada\u2019s historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to Morocco in the Round of 16. Despite a dominant first-half performance from Jesse Marsch\u2019s squad, the co-hosts could not capitalize on their early chances and were undone by a clinical Moroccan side in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing at Houston Stadium, the Canadian men’s national team came out with high intensity, executing a relentless press that left the 2022 semi-finalists scrambling. Tani Oluwaseyi nearly opened the scoring early, forcing an excellent leg save from Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou. However, Canada heavily missed talisman Alphonso Davies, who remained on the bench as an unused substitute due to a lingering hamstring issue. Without his explosive pace, the Canadian attack lacked quality in the final third, and striker Jonathan David was kept quiet by a rigid Moroccan defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The match swung five minutes into the second half. Off a clever free-kick routine, Azzedine Ounahi curled a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner. As Canada pushed bodies forward for an equalizer, Morocco struck twice more on lethal counter-attacks. Ounahi secured his brace in the 82nd minute, and substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a late third to seal the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the final scoreline stings, this tournament marks a massive milestone for Canadian soccer, including the program’s first-ever World Cup victory. Morocco advances to the quarter-finals in Boston, while Canada exits with its head held high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honestly, I think this is the end of the road for Canada in the World Cup. It\u2019s hard to see the Canadian team advancing from the Round of 16 to the quarterfinals. It\u2019s viewed as a long shot\u2014Canada is currently +220 to advance. That\u2019s a price I would consider taking, but Canada is about to face one of the toughest teams in this tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco is a much stronger side than any opponent Canada has faced so far. Bosnia, Qatar, and South Africa are all well below Morocco\u2019s level. Switzerland, who beat Canada 2\u20131 in the group stage, is also an inferior team compared to the Moroccans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco just eliminated the Netherlands on penalties after 120 minutes of play, in a game where they produced 1.38 xGF while conceding only 0.24 xGA. To concede just 0.24 xGA to an attack that scored 2 against Japan, 5 against Sweden, and 3 against Tunisia is impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Moroccan team is very mature, with players who have had incredible careers in Europe and play in top-tier competitions. In 2022, they eliminated Spain and Portugal before falling to France in the semifinals. In 2026, they have played better than both Brazil and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My friend, there is no reason for me to root against Canada or for Morocco. But as a football oddsmaker, and as a Brazilian who consumes this daily, I\u2019d say the only way Canada moves on is by playing a perfect game with the support of the crowd. Another important factor is that this game will be held in Houston, not in Vancouver, which was reserved for the Group C winner\u2014Switzerland. That could weigh on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a very good price of -125 (1.80) for Morocco to win in 90 minutes and advance. I doubt Brazil or the Netherlands would be priced this way if they were facing Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Bet: <\/strong>Morocco to Win @ -125 (1.80) on bet365<\/p>\n\n\n\n bet365pag2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Canada’s World Cup run ends in Houston after a 3-0 loss to Morocco. Read the full Round of 16 match analysis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"cat_apostas":[94],"hub_relacionado":[104,105],"class_list":["post-1709","apostas","type-apostas","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cat_apostas-fifa-world-cup","hub_relacionado-fifa-world-cup","hub_relacionado-picks"],"acf":{"hreflang_group":""},"yoast_head":"\n