Canada 1-2 Morocco: 3 Things We Learned As Morocco Beat Canada To Win Group F

No one would have predicted Morocco winning Group F heading into the World Cup but the Atlas Lions emerged victors of the group much to the dismay of many a football fan. Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En- Neysri were on target as the Africans won 2-1 over Canada to win a group that had Belgium and Croatia

Here are three things we learned from the game.

Atlas Lions reach World Cup knockouts for first time since 1986

Morocco booked their place in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1986 with a 2-1 win over Canada on Thursday. The Atlas Lions went into the clash at Al Thumama Stadium in a strong position in Group F, knowing just a single point would see them into the last 16 following a 2-0 win over Belgium and the goalless draw with Croatia.

Hakim Ziyech is a class act

The Chelsea star is indeed a top-notch who could go a long way in etching his name in the country's football folklore. The forward was all things to the Atlas Lions on Thursday; initiating attacks, winning tackles, headers and cajoling team-mates. Inspiring. He crowned his superb output with a goal as his side won the group. His performance against Canada was another huge ringing endorsement of his ability and find himself stalked by the giants within the shortest possible time.

A lot of positives for Canada to build on

It is just their second ever World Cup appearance and they found themselves in a very difficult group. They lost all three games but they will certainly go back home not as villains but as heroes as they never felted intimated by their highly talented and superior opponents. 

The experience garnered in Qatar will surely be a blueprint of many good things to happen to Canadian football. They played with so much confidence- something that belies their experience at the highest stage. Don’t be surprised to see them celebrating in their World Cup appearance in 2026.