After defeating Canada 2-1 on Thursday, Morocco became the first African team to win a World Cup group in 24 years.
What happened in the game?
Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En- Nesyri’s goals in the first half were sufficient, and Nayef Aguerd’s own goal was little more than a consolation for a Canada team that will go home empty-handed.
Morocco must now wait until the Group E games on Thursday to find out who they will play on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.
For the first time since 1986, Walid Regragui’s team needed just a point to advance to the knockout rounds, and they were given a dream start after four minutes.
A short backpass from Steven Vitoria to Milan Borjan was made worse by the goalkeeper’s heavy touch, which allowed Ziyech to chip the ball into an open net from 25 yards away.
More careless defending, coupled with Canada’s vulnerability every time Morocco attacked, led to Morocco’s second goal halfway through the first half.
Right-back Achraf Hakimi played a long ball that left center-half Kamal Miller exposed. En-Nesyri ran on to the ball and shot under Borjan, who once again should have done better.
Canada halved the deficit five minutes before halftime despite having no attacking threat at all. Sam Adekugbe sped past Hakimi on the left side of the field, and his low cross was deflected goalward by the toe of Aguerd with Yassine Bounou helpless to block it at his near post.
After Canada had partially cleared Ziyech’s inswinging free-kick from the right, En-Nesyri thought he had given Morocco a two-goal lead before the half. However, his effort was disallowed because Aguerd was in the way of Borjan and thus offside.
Morocco retreated into themselves as the second half went on, perhaps realizing the magnitude of their accomplishment.
After 71 minutes, Canada came within a whisker of tying the score when substitute Atiba Hutchinson, 39, headed onto the underside of the bar and Alistair Johnston was unable to push the rebound over the goal line. Alphonso Davies had previously volleyed wide on the stretch.
But Morocco managed to hold on, and when Croatia and Belgium drew 0-0 in their other pool match, there were wild celebrations after the final whistle.