Morocco ‘no longer a surprise’ as they set up France last-eight clash

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said “we're no longer a surprise” after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and hit back at “bold” claims by Canada’s Jesse Marsch.

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The north African side were not at their best but were clinical in defeating Marsch’s co-hosts 3-0 in Houston and will face France or Paraguay next.

Morocco made the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup and won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Ouahbi said: “We're no longer a surprise today and that’s a great source of pride.

“Ι think this is only the beginning and I hope we'll keep producing this kind of run for many years.”

Morocco lost to France in the last four at Qatar 2022, but the coach said revenge was not their motivation when they clash next in North America.

“We want to go as far as possible and make our people proud,” he said.

After Canada were the better team in the first half, Azzedine Ounahi scored twice for Morocco on 50 and 82 minutes to kill off the tie.

“What we’re trying to get across to our players is that we’re playing in a World Cup, which means you go through difficult moments,” said the coach.

“What we needed to do was hold on and show resilience when things aren't going so well.”