Canada vs Morocco LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Atlas Lions top Group F

An impassioned Moroccan team clinched a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1986 by defeating the already-eliminated Canadians 2-1 on Thursday, mercilessly capitalising on their opponents blunders.

Morocco, who needed a win or a draw in their final Group F match to reach the knockout rounds, took advantage of a weak clearance by goalkeeper Milan Borjan that landed on the foot of Hakim Ziyech. Cheered on by a boisterous crowd of Moroccan fans, midfielder Ziyech effortlessly lobbed the ball over the stranded goalkeeper to open scoring in the fourth minute. Borjan had been placed in an unenviable position by central defender Steven Vitoria, whose weak back pass forced the goalkeeper to race Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri to the ball.

En-Nesyri remained dangerous throughout the first half, doubling Morocco‘s lead in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from Achraf Hakimi and beat Borjan at the near post. En-Nesyri also thumped a volley into the Canadian net during stoppage time in the first half but that goal was ruled offside.

With Croatia drawing with Belgium in the other Group F game, Morocco finish first in the group and will face the second-place finishers in Group E, which is made up of Japan, Spain, Germany and Costa Rica. Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd put Canada on the scoreboard with an own goal, the first of this World Cup, by accidentally flicking a cross by Sam Adekugbe past his own goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 40th minute. Canada, who are exiting their first World Cup since 1986 without a win, automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico.

Relive all the action with our live blog below:

Canada vs Morocco

• Morocco top World Cup Group F after Ziyech and En-Nesyri goals down Canada

• 72’ OFF THE BAR! Hutchinson thumps a header off the woodwork and it bounces down and onto the line (CAN 1-2 MOR)

• 45+3’ NO GOAL! En-Nesyri celebrates after a fine finish, but it’s offside (CAN 1-2 MOR)

• 40’ GOAL! Aguerd deflects into his own net to give Canada life (CAN 1-2 MOR)

• 24’ GOAL! En-Nesyri races in on goal and fires an emphatic finish past Borjan (CAN 0-2 MOR)

• 15’ CHANCE! Larin feeds Buchanan at the back post, but he can’t reach the ball with Bono out of goal (CAN 0-1 MOR)

• 4’ GOAL! Ziyech pounces on Borjan howler to chip into empty net (CAN 0-1 MOR)

• FOLLOW LIVE: Croatia hold on in Belgium stalemate to finish second in Group F

Canada 1-2 Morocco

17:15 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s how close Canada came to equalising through Atiba Hutchinson!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

17:00 , Kieran Jackson

Most of the Morocco players are crying their eyes out here! It’s their first appearance in the knockout phase of the World Cup since 1986!

They will play the runners-up of Group E - which invovles Spain, Germany, Japan and Costa Rica and concludes tonight - at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday at 3pm (GMT).

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:57 , Kieran Jackson

Joyous scenes for Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium - the Morocco players are celebrating like they’ve won the whole thing!

Frankly, why shouldn’t they?!

Canada have caught the eye - but go home with three losses to their name.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:55 , Kieran Jackson

FULL-TIME: The Morocco substitutes sprint onto the pitch in celebration - they have done it!

Morocco finish top of Group F! Croatia come second, Belgium are out.

Canada end up pointless.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:54 , Kieran Jackson

90+4 mins: Celebrations on the Morocco bench as they hear that Croatia and Belgium has finished goalless!

Belgium are out! Morocco about to finish top...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:53 , Kieran Jackson

90+2 mins: Terrible corner doesn’t beat the first man!

Borjan than screws up again with his feet in midfield... but Davies sprints back to cover for his goalkeeper!

Morocco look to be there.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:52 , Kieran Jackson

90 mins: Four minutes of added time here!

Canada have pushed and pushed and pushed in this second-half!

Borjan is up for Davies’ corner...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:48 , Kieran Jackson

87 mins: What’s Morocco keeper Bono doing!

Just outside the box, he chests the ball before grabbing it in his box - with Canada players onrushing!

That was a close run thing!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:46 , Kieran Jackson

84 mins: Booking for Vitoria, for an arm to the face of Morocco’s Hamdallah.

That’s been coming.

Meanwhile, Morocco make their final change: Hakimi comes off again, with Jabrane replacing him.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:43 , Kieran Jackson

83 mins: Davies whips in a corner for Canada but Jamieson gets too much on his header at the near post, with the ball flying over.

With Croatia and Belgium still goalless, Morocco are going through as group winners... as it stands!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:41 , Kieran Jackson

82 mins: Morocco counter quickly but sub Abderrazak Hamdallah takes too long to make a decision! Dispossessed by Hutchinson when he had options either side of him!

Will Morocco live to regret that?!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:39 , Kieran Jackson

80 mins: Moroccan fans doing the Icelandic clap, creating a thunderous atmosphere around the stadium.

10 to go. Canada still dominating. Morocco are deep, very deep...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:37 , Kieran Jackson

76 mins: Hoilett makes way for Wotherspoon for Canada.

Another double sub for Morocco too: Ziyech and Ounahi OFF; Hamdallah and El Yamiq ON.

Can Morocco hold on?! A place in the last-16 on the line - they need a point here!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:33 , Kieran Jackson

72 mins: Oh so close for Canada!

Atiba Hutchinson wins the header from the corner and it smashes the bottom of the crossbar - hits the line - and then Jamieson can’t get his head over the ball following up!

Inches away for the Canadians! Morocco’s lead hanging by a thread...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:31 , Kieran Jackson

71 mins: Davies’ free-kick is overhit but is nonetheless headed behind by Morocco’s Romain Saïss.

Canada corner...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:30 , Kieran Jackson

70 mins: Ziyech accelerating - surging! - towards the Canada penalty area and he looks like he’s been tripped, but no free-kick says the referee.

Yet Buchanan wins one in the Morocco half. Chance to swing one in here...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:25 , Kieran Jackson

65 mins: Double substitution for Morocco:

Boufal and Sabiri OFF; Amallah and Aboukhlal ON.

Canada also make a change: Osorio makes way for Laryea.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:24 , Kieran Jackson

63 mins: Canada’s domination continues here - they’re probing!

But Morocco holding firm and solid in their shape...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:21 , Kieran Jackson

61 mins: Triple substitution for Canada:

Kaye, Larin and Adekugbe OFF; Hutchinson, Kone and David ON.

Strange one given the momentum of the game at the moment, me thinks.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:18 , Kieran Jackson

58 mins: Hoilett does well down the right and crosses in for Davies rushing into the box - but his stabbed volley is well wide!

Still, much better from Canada, who are on top at the moment!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:17 , Kieran Jackson

56 mins: Terrific ball in from a free-kick out wide by Alphonso Davies - but Larin can’t quite get on the end of it as it evades everyone and goes out for a goal-kick.

Morocco are not quite as bright as they were in the first-half...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:16 , Kieran Jackson

55 mins: Davies does well to shimmy away from Ziyech on the left, who fouls the Canada star.

He’s struggled to get into the game so far has the Bayern Munich player! Canada starting to push a little more here though...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:13 , Kieran Jackson

52 mins: Bizarre stoppage in play here - Canada stop play and complain that the ball is flat!

It’s the World Cup - not Sunday league! Game restarts with a drop-ball...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:08 , Kieran Jackson

48 mins: Ziyech whips in a cross from the right but it’s straight into the hands of Borjan.

Morocco in control of possession in the early stages of this second-half...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

SECOND-HALF: Canada get us underway for the second-half!

It’s Canada’s last 45 of Qatar 2022, while Morocco need just a point to make sure it’s not their last half of football at this World Cup!

Canada 1-2 Morocco

16:05 , Kieran Jackson

The players are back out for the second-half at the Al Thumama Stadium!

No changes at the break...

Croatia 0-0 Belgium

15:56 , Kieran Jackson

HALF-TIME: All-square at the interval between Croatia and Belgium.

As it stands: Croatia going through in second place, with Belgium heading out!

Follow live:

Croatia vs Belgium LIVE: World Cup 2022 updates

Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:50 , Kieran Jackson

HALF-TIME: What a half that was!

Morocco looked to be cruising at 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Ziecyh and En-Nesyri but that late own-goal has given Canada hope of a first point in this World Cup!

As it stands though, Morocco are going through as group winners! Still plenty to play for...

Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:49 , Kieran Jackson

45+3 mins: It looks like En-Nesyri has scored his second to put Morocco 3-1 up!

He’s away celebrating - but it’s been disallowed for offside! A Moroccan player was standing offside in the way of Borjan’s eyeline as the striker volleyed home.

It remains 2-1.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

45 mins: Five minutes of added time at the end of the first-half.

Been a stormer of a half this! Will we have any late drama?

Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:43 , Kieran Jackson

44 mins: Vitoria once again wins the header with El-Nesyri in the air but the Moroccan striker clatters into the Canada defender.

Looks all OK to continue though.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

15:42 , Jack Rathborn

40 mins: Canada pull a goal back!

It’s their second goal of the tournament - and it’s an own-goal! Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd gets a toe at the front post on Sam Adekugbe’s cross and diverts the ball past Yassine Bounou who can’t keep it out!

Morocco’s passage to the last-16 is not safe yet!

Canada 0-2 Morocco

15:39 , Kieran Jackson

37 mins: Canada defender Vitoria puts an elbow into the neck of En-Nesyri and is just warned by the referee for being a tad too physical.

No card.

Canada 0-2 Morocco

15:33 , Kieran Jackson

32 mins: Big block from Canada to prevent a third Moroccan goal!

Boufal was running on to the loose ball in the box but Jamieson does well to block with his foot!

The Al Thumama Stadium absolutely bouncing after a dream first half-an-hour for Morocco!

Canada 0-2 Morocco

15:29 , Kieran Jackson

29 mins: Here’s Ziyech’s goal!

Canada 0-2 Morocco

15:27 , Kieran Jackson

27 mins: Canada’s Jonathan Osorio in the book for a lunge on Abdelhamid Sabiri.

Right decision. Not so much nasty as just a bad tackle.

Canada looking fairly bright since going two down...

Canada 0-2 Morocco (En-Nesyri 23’)

15:25 , Jack Rathborn

23 mins: Morocco double their lead!

It’s a brilliant goal this! Achraf Hakimi - from right back - plays a delightful through ball to Youssef En-Nesyri who finishes with aplomb at the near post!

Could Borjan do better? Perhaps. Either way Morocco heading through - and at the moment top of the group!

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:24 , Jack Rathborn

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:21 , Kieran Jackson

21 mins: Game has slowed down a touch since that chaotic opening 15 minutes. Morocco trying to restore some calmness to proceedings given their one-goal lead.

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:17 , Kieran Jackson

15 mins: Oh wonderful counter-attack from Canada!

It’s brilliant inter-play between Larin and Hoilett on the right - and Larin strides forward towards the box but his ball across the penalty area has just too much weight on it for Tajon Buchanan at the back post sliding in!

First bright spark from the Canadians!

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:11 , Kieran Jackson

11 mins: Morocco completely dominant here!

Ziyech this time whips in a free-kick from the right but Canada’s Cyle Larin hoofs clear.

What a start from the north Africans!

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:09 , Kieran Jackson

9 mins: Sabiri takes a shot on from long range but Canada’s wall holds firm.

Borjan punches clear from the subsequent corner...

Canada 0-1 Morocco

15:08 , Kieran Jackson

8 mins: Canada’s Junior Hoilett in the book for a really late challenge on Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi.

Nasty that. Morocco have a free-kick, centre of the pitch, 30 yards out from goal...

Canada 0-1 Morocco (Ziyech 4’)

15:05 , Kieran Jackson

GOAL! Morocco have the early breakthrough - but what a howler from Canada keeper Milan Borjan!

It’s a poor back-pass from Canada defender Steven Vitória - Borjan gets there but it’s a heavy touch and Hakim Ziyech has the relatively simple task of tapping in to an empty net from 25 yards.

Desperate moment for Canada - elation for Morocco!

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

15:03 , Kieran Jackson

2 mins: First opening for Morocco!

A ball is fizzed across the penalty area - but Youssef En-Nesyri can’t quite get there!

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

15:01 , Kieran Jackson

KICK-OFF: We’re underway here - Canada in an all-red strip, Morocco in all-white.

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco - a reminder of the starting XIs!

14:59 , Kieran Jackson

Canada: Borjan, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies, Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett

Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

14:54 , Kieran Jackson

The teams are out at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.

Time for the national anthems!

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

14:50 , Kieran Jackson

The players have completed their warm-up at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and we’re just 10 minutes from kick-off!

The equation for Morocco is pretty simple: win and they are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1986!

Canada, despite wowing with their aggressive style of play, are already out having lost their first two games against Belgium and Croatia and are simply playing for pride in their final group game of Qatar 2022.

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

14:42 , Kieran Jackson

It’s not just the Moroccan players who have lit up this World Cup so far - the fans have been exceptional too!

A last-16 place awaits should they beat Canada today!

14:34 , Kieran Jackson

Morocco reap the rewards with Hakim Ziyech back and at his best

By Ben Burrows in Doha

When Walid Regragui took over as Morocco coach with the World Cup on the horizon, he knew the decision he had to make first.

With one of his first acts in charge, Hakim Ziyech, banished out into the cold by former boss Vahid Halilhodzic over his willingness to play for the national side, was welcomed warmly back into the fold.

An often divisive figure at Chelsea, Ziyech has routinely struggled for consistent form and playing time for long periods at Stamford Bridge, his body language not helping the observation that this is a player the club have yet to properly get the best out of, the swagger and arrogance that has been seen to such positive effect in this tournament too often coming off instead as a negative.

Here in Qatar, though, back amongst his countrymen on the grandest stage of all, Ziyech is now showing just how good he can be when player and team are properly aligned.

After a lively if not ultimately decisive performance in the opening draw with Croatia on Wednesday, Ziyech came properly to life against Belgium on Sunday, the catalyst to, and driving force behind, a famous Atlas Lions win.

Morocco reap the rewards with Hakim Ziyech back and at his best

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

14:22 , Kieran Jackson

Croatia 4-1 Canada - MATCH REPORT

Another World Cup 2022 day, another World Cup moment of history. Just 90 seconds after kick-off, Canada had their first-ever goal at a finals, Alphonso Davies had his moment of redemption and the Qatar tournament had its earliest goal in any game.

The best side in Concacaf qualifying had shown their qualities in the opener against Belgium without earning reward – mostly due to Davies seeing a penalty saved, but with profligacy elsewhere too.

This time the fast start brought the best reward of all, but despite those opening scenes of jubilation and pride, promise and potential, Canada are out.

One of the stories of the tournament so far, their enterprising approach and clutch of high-energy, high-impact players have impressed many. But ultimately two defeats leave them falling short in Group F while Croatia, finalists last time and 4-1 winners here, need only avoid defeat next time to progress.

Both managers opted for changes to personnel after failing to win last time out; both opted for two centre-forwards on the team sheet, although employed in different ways.

Croatia fight back to win as Canada entertain again but exit World Cup early

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

14:09 , Kieran Jackson

Morocco boss vows to play for the win in bid to reach first World Cup knockouts in 36 years

Morocco coach Walid Regragui will not make the mistake of playing for a draw against Canada as they look to make it out of the World Cup group stage for the first time in more than 35 years.

Following a stunning 2-0 victory over Belgium, the Atlas Lions stand on the verge of reaching the knockout rounds for only the second time in the country’s history, last doing so in 1986.

Canada, meanwhile, have only pride left to play for following a 4-1 defeat to Croatia after being edged out by Belgium in the opening Group F match after Alphonso Davies’ first-half penalty was saved.

Regragui, though, maintains Morocco must stay fully focused against a team intent on finishing the tournament on a positive note as Canada look ahead to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

“We know that we are coming up against a team which has got nothing to lose as they are already eliminated and will be out to hold their heads up high,” said Regragui, who replaced Vahid Halilhodzic as Morocco head coach just three months ago.

“But we also have a lot to get out of the game. We are motivated and are preparing for a difficult game.”

Regragui added: “It would be an error to go into the match thinking you only need to give 20 or 30 per cent because the draw is fine for us. We are coming up against a team who want to take their first points from a World Cup, so they will be giving it everything right up until the final whistle.

Morocco boss vows to play to win in bid to reach first knockout stage in 36 years

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco - TEAM NEWS

13:50 , Kieran Jackson

Canada: Borjan, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies, Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett

Subs: St. Clair, Piette, Fraser, Cavallini, Ugbo, Hutchinson, Kone, Pantemis, David, Laryea, Millar, Wotherspoon, Cornelius, Waterman.

Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

Subs: Hamdallah, Zaroury, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Amallah, Ezzalzouli, El Yamiq, Dari, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, El Khannous, Benoun, Attiyat Allah, Jabrane.

World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco

13:40 , Kieran Jackson

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Canada vs Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha!

The equation for Morocco is pretty simple: win and they are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1986!

Canada, despite wowing with their aggressive style of play, are already out having lost their first two games against Belgium and Croatia and are simply playing for pride in their final group game of Qatar 2022.

Kick-off is at 3pm (GMT) - team-news on the way!