Morocco: 3, Canada:
The first game of the Round of 16, a tough match for Canada, who played much better than the score suggests, but still needed to find a goal in order to win.
Canada’s chances in the first half were plentiful, but they lacked the finishing ability to give them the goal, and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made things difficult for the Canadians. Ultimately, despite the result, Canada had more shots and far more touches in the opponents box than Morrocco did.
There were 6 yellow cards handed out in the first half, but with the books being wiped after this round, if you already didn’t have one, it didn’t really matter.
Morocco could strike in an instant, and after being poor in the first half, it took one creative set piece, right back Achraf Hakimi setting up attacking midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who scored the opener.
Canada tried crawling back, but were unable to do so. In the 82nd minute, Ounahi scored his second, and substitute Soufiane Rahimi scored in stoppage time to tack on a third. A game that Morocco could get away with playing poorly due to Canada not being as strong.
Morocco will play France in the Quarterfinals.
Player of the Match: Azzedine Ounahi (Girona)
France: 1, Paraguay: 0
Definitely a lot closer than any French fan would have hoped for, but they move on regardless.
Paraguay upset Germany in the previous round with their defense, and they tried the same thing in this match. It was working in the first half, with France getting chances, but not being able to convert due to how many defenders Paraguay committed back.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was once again excellent, making 4 saves. France was just ultimately too strong however, and they found their goal in the 70th minute, substitute Desire Doue was fouled in the box, and after a long review, France was awarded a penalty.
Striker Kylian Mbappe calmly scored the penalty, and France held off any Paraguay attack, winning it 1-0. It was Mbappe’s seventh goal of the tournament, tying Lionel Messi for the most.
France will play Morocco in the Quarterfinals. Both teams struggled in their Round of 16 match, and each will get a much better team at Boston Stadium.
Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
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