But Morocco's victory came at a high price. In the 22nd minute, Morocco's star player Ismail Saibari was forced to leave the game with a suspected hamstring injury. Saibari, who had scored three goals in the tournament, shed tears as he limped off the field.
It wasn't just the injury that was a problem for Morocco in the first half. Canada was clearly the better team in the opening 45 minutes and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou had to make a couple of fine saves to keep the Africans in the game.
After the break, Morocco took over, while Canada's pressing game was not as persistent as in the first half.
The opening goal came from a free-kick variation in the fifth minute of the half. When most expected a cross into the penalty area, Achraf Hakimi instead chose to play the ball sideways along the ground to Azzedine Ounahi, who met it with a shot that found its way in at the post.
Canada had a golden opportunity to equalize with just over fifteen minutes left. Jonathan David took the free kick just outside the penalty area, but his shot just went over the bar. Canada didn't get any closer that night.
When Canada tried to lift the team, it was instead punished. In the 82nd minute, Ounahi's second goal of the night and third overall in the World Cup came. A four-on-two counterattack resulted in Brahim Diaz being able to play in the two-goal scorer, who thundered the ball into the roof of the net. Morocco was able to make it 3-0 in extra time through Soufiane Rahimi, the player who replaced the injured Saibari.
Morocco will face the winner of France and Paraguay in the quarterfinals.
