Azzedine Ounahi’s early second-half goal propelled Morocco to victory, eliciting a jubilant reaction from coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who replaced the highly regarded Walid Regragui earlier this year. While Regragui’s tenure was marked by significant success, including a World Cup semi-final appearance, the pressure was on Ouahbi to maintain and build upon that legacy. Five months later, Morocco has made history as the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on two occasions, showcasing an impressive level of play.
Regragui faced criticism during the 2025 Cup of Nations, which Morocco hosted, and there are ongoing discussions regarding the legitimacy of their potential title win, pending a ruling from the court of arbitration for sport. Despite his record of only four losses in 49 matches, including a semi-final defeat to France and a third-place playoff loss to Croatia, questions lingered over his tactics. Some viewed his approach as overly defensive, questioning whether it was a necessary strategy for the team’s success.
In a more complex situation, Regragui unintentionally became synonymous with the Moroccan football establishment. During a last-16 match against Tanzania in Rabat, his appearance on the big screen drew boos from the crowd, reflecting discontent among fans over the financial prioritization of sports infrastructure over essential public services, particularly in light of recent flooding in Safi that resulted in 37 fatalities. Critics argued that if funds were to be directed towards football, they should at least favor an aggressive, dynamic style of play.
Ouahbi took over after a contentious final against Senegal, introducing a more attacking style of play. Under his leadership, Morocco has shown potential, demonstrating that with sharper finishing, they might have avoided relying on penalties against the Netherlands in the last 32 and could have performed better against Brazil in the group stage.
However, their recent performance against Canada was reminiscent of a traditional Moroccan display—resilient and competitive, marked by counterattacks led by their more creative players. It remains unclear whether their careful start was intentional or a response to Canada’s aggressive play.
Despite the change in coaching, Morocco’s ability to defend remains intact. They adeptly managed the game’s tempo, regrouped effectively, and, even after losing Ismael Saibari to injury just before the hydration break, held off Canada’s advances. Saibari, a standout performer thus far, left Morocco looking slightly less sharp, as they managed just one touch in the Canadian penalty area before halftime.
Ultimately, Morocco took the lead just six minutes into the second half when Achraf Hakimi delivered a free-kick that Ounahi converted from just outside the box. Ounahi, who was fortunate to remain on the pitch after a first-half booking, narrowly avoided a second yellow card for a foul on Ali Ahmed shortly before scoring. Stephen Eustáquio of Canada appeared to voice his concerns about this to referee Michael Oliver.
Morocco executed their game plan effectively. Canada, having invested heavily in an energetic start, faltered after their momentum was disrupted. Yassine Bounou made an impressive save to deny Tani Oluwaseyi, and as the game progressed, Morocco smartly controlled the pace, leading to another goal from Ounahi after a counterattack orchestrated by Chemsdine Talbi and Brahim Díaz. Soufiane Rahimi capped the match with a third goal in injury time, following a close header that hit the bar earlier.
This scenario is becoming increasingly familiar in football: the most transformative moments often occur when a nation’s identity is still evident. This was true for Liverpool under Arne Slot, who revitalized the foundational work of Jürgen Klopp. Similarly, Stefan Kovacs at Ajax built upon Rinus Michels’ legacy, and Claudio Ranieri transformed Nigel Pearson’s squad into Premier League champions at Leicester City.
The danger lies in the future, as seen with Germany, who after winning the World Cup faced challenges in adapting to a new culture without their traditional leaders. However, for now, Morocco blends Ouahbi’s innovative tactics with the solid foundation laid by Regragui, proving they can adapt while still relying on their established strengths.
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