(Football news) Morocco created history by becoming the first African team to top their World Cup Group and clinched a spot in the next round for the first time since 1986 by defeating Canada 2-1. Morocco needed a win or a draw in their final Group F match to reach the knockout stages as they opened the scoring on the four minute mark with Hakim Ziyech who profited from a weak clearance by goalkeeper Milan Borjan. They were cheered on by a joyous crowd of Moroccan fans, the Chelsea midfielder Ziyech effortlessly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper for his first goal this World Cup 

Borjan was again left stranded when central defender Steven Vitoria’s weak back pass forced the goalkeeper to race towards Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri to the ball. En-Nesyri was a dangerous threat throughout the first half as he finally doubled Morocco’s lead in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from Achraf Hakimi and easily beat Borjan at the near post. En-Nesyri also thumped a brilliant volley into the Canadian net during stoppage time in the first half but that goal was ruled offside by VAR. Croatia drawing with Belgium meant that Morocco finished first in the group and will face a tough test against the 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd gave Canada a glimmer of hope as they got themselves on the scoreboard with an own goal which was subsequently the first of this year’s World Cup. Aguerd got himself in a horrible position when he accidentally flicked a cross by Sam Adekugbe past his own goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 40th minute. Canada, who are going to exit their first World Cup since 1986 without a win, will automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico. They proved that they belong at the big stage and will be hoping that their performance in the next World Cup will be better.

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