By Sedara Oluwadara
The Atlas Lions of Morocco defeated Canada to top Group F of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as they reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.
Morocco beat Canada 2-1 on Thursday to finish with seven points, ahead 2018 finalists Croatia, while Belgium – ranked second in the world – are out after finishing third in the group with four points after playing a goalless draw with Croatia.
Chelsea forward, Kakim Ziyech put Morocco infront in the 4th minute after a goalkeeping howler from Milan Borjan.
The Canada keeper sprinted out of his goal but passed the ball straight to Ziyech, who lofted a cool finish into an open net from 30 yards.
Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a well-taken goal as he controlled Achraf Hakimi’s superb pass before firing into the net.
Canada, playing at their first World Cup since 1986, however got a consolation goal shortly before half-time when Nayef Aguerd turned Sam Adekugbe’s cross into his own net.
Morocco will now play the runners-up in Group E – either Spain, Japan, Costa Rica or Germany – with that group being concluded on Thursday evening.
