Rabat, July 5, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was named the FIFA World Cup Man of the Match following his outstanding performance in the Atlas Lions’ commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in the Round of 16, helping his country secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Ounahi starred with a second-half brace, opening the scoring in the 50th minute before doubling Morocco’s advantage late in the match. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal in stoppage time to complete an emphatic victory and send Morocco into the last eight of the tournament. The result also made Morocco the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on more than one occasion.
The Man of the Match award recognized Ounahi’s influential display in midfield, where he combined creativity, composure, and clinical finishing to inspire the Atlas Lions after a challenging first half. The award was decided through FIFA’s fan voting system, with supporters selecting the Moroccan midfielder as the standout performer of the match.
Speaking after the game, Ounahi acknowledged Canada’s strong performance in the opening half but praised Morocco’s ability to adapt after the interval.
“It was a tough match. We were against a team that caused us problems, especially in the first half. But thanks to God, we were able to find solutions,” he said, while also thanking Moroccan supporters for their unwavering backing throughout the tournament.
Morocco will now face France in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals as the Atlas Lions continue their quest for another historic run on football’s biggest stage.
