FIFA World Cup: Goals from Ziyech and En-Nesyri put the Africans on top of Group F ahead of Croatia

Canada had already been eliminated and fell behind early after a serious mistake by goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Chelsea FC's Hakim Ziyech scored the opening goal.

Youssef En-Nesyri hammered the ball past Milan Borjan into the net to extend the lead in the first half. Morocco, however, allowed Canada to stay in the game, and Nayef Aguerd deflected the ball into his own goal before halftime.

The Atlas Lions are in the knockout round for the first time in 36 years and must now wait to see who their opponent will be in the round of 16, the runner-up in Group E.

Morocco needed a win or a draw to reach the round of 16, while Canada were already eliminated after defeats to Belgium and Croatia.

Alphonso Davies became the first Canadian player to score in the men's World Cup. The co-hosts of the 2026 tournament will hope to make further history in their final match in Qatar and claim the first World Cup points in their history.

The afternoon got off to a disastrous start when Steven Vitoria mishit a back pass, and goalkeeper Milan Borjan rushed out of the box.

He was initially in possession of the ball but then gifted the Atlas Lions the opening goal when he failed to clear the ball and passed it to Ziyech, who outwitted Milan Borjan for the opening goal in the fourth minute.

Canada nearly scored the opening goal when Cyle Larin won the ball in his half, broke through on the right and sent a cross to the far post, but it was pushed past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou by Tajon Buchanan.

Morocco soon extended the lead when Achraf Hakimi fed En-Nesyri, who broke through on the right and fired a low shot past Milan Borjan for Morocco's first goal in two different World Cups.

Canada's second tournament goal came unexpectedly when Sam Adekugbe crossed into the box, and Nayef Aguerd stuck out his right foot to clear but put the ball past the rushing Yassine Bounou.

En-Nesyri thought he had put Morocco back in front in stoppage time, but the offside flag spared Canada.

Canada came into the game better after the break and gave the North Africans a scare when 39-year-old substitute Atiba Hutchinson, Qatar's oldest outfield player, put a header against the crossbar.

The ball fell on the goal line but did not cross, and a clumsy finish from Yassine Bounou ensured Canada's historic first point would reach the hosts at the earliest.