Canada 1 Morocco 2 LIVE RESULT: Ziyech & En Neysri ensure Morocco TOP Group F and set-up last-16 clash
MOROCCO finished TOP of Group F thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech and Yousseff En Neysri.
It was Milan Borjan, the Canada goalkeeper, who was at fault for the opener after taking a heavy touch into the path of the Moroccan who finished from far out to put his side ahead and top of the group as it stands.
They soon doubled their lead through Youssef En Nesyri, who calmly slotted past Borjan to make it comfortable for his side but Canada had a goal back as Nayef Augerd deflected a cross past his goalkeeper to halve the deficit.
Morroco thought they had restored the two-goal lead before half-time, but En Neysri saw his second chalked off as the flag was up for offside.
And Canada nearly netted an equaliser, with Atiba Hutchinson striking the bar from a header after a corner.
The African side managed to hold on, and with Croatia and Belgium playing out a draw, they remarkably finished top of Group F.
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Whalid has the Midas touch
The Moroccan manager has now been in charge of the national team for six games and the Atlas Lions have failed to lose a single game.
In fact, before today's game, they had not even conceded a goal.
He now takes his team into a knockout game against the runner-up of Group E, which at the moment, could be anyone.
In the meantime, this team can enjoy what they have just achieved for their country.
Boss knows he's off to big time
Walid Regragui said before the tournament even started that one of his players, Azzedine Ounahi, would be off to a huge club after this World Cup.
But the player who really pulls this side together is Sofyan Amrabat, who does everything from tidying up in front of the back four to starting counter attacks.
He certainly put in a great shift for the Atlas Lions.
Lions from start to finish
Morocco have been the surprise package of this tournament as they went largely under the radar beforehand.
They have impressed many with all aspects of their game.
Now they can enjoy the fruits of their labour as they celebrate finishing top of Group F.
FT: Canada 1-2 Morocco
The referee brings the game to close.
The Al-Thumama Stadium is bouncing.
36 years of hurt have ended.
Morocco are through to the last 16
Canada 1-2 Morocca
90+4. The fans and even the substitutes of Morocco have started to celebrate.
Dancing on the side of the pitch.
Canada continue to press, Morocco dance.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
90+2. Canada continue to come forward.
Davies on the overlap, looks to cross but wins a corner.
Even the keeper is coming up for this one.
Atrocious delivery from Davies is hacked clear.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
88. This will be Hutchinson's last appearance for Canada.
He was so close to earning them a point with that header that crashed down off the crossbar.
Morocco more content in just hacking the ball clear now.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
86. The best thing Canada could do to prepare for co-hosting the next World Cup, to avoid a tournament like Qatar, would be to shutdown all other sport in the country until 2026.
Just football now.
Morocco are going more direct now to manage the remaining time left in this game.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
84. For all their possession in this half, I cannot reiterate Canada's inability to create clean-cut chances in this game.
It must be so frustrating for their fans.
The ultimate tease.
Possession with no end product.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
80. The Moroccan fans around the ground start the 'Viking clap' as they look to see their side through to the whistle.
Canada lose the ball and Amrabat charges off into the Canadian half.
They lose the ball and it is Canada's turn to counter.
This is end to end stuff at the moment.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
78. A goal from Canada now would cause a very nervy end to this game for the Moroccan team and their fans.
Canada continue to press forward with Buchanan who tries to win a foul but the referee is not buying it.
Good defending by Morocco.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
76. Hoilett takes yet another corner for Canada.
His out-swinging corner is easily headed away by the Atlas Lions.
Amrabat does well to close down a Canadian counter-attack.
Both sides look to make some changes to get some fresh legs on for the final quarter of the game.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
72. Davies takes yet another corner for Canada.
This time he gets the delivery all right.
Finding the head of Hutchinson, the ball strikes the underside of the crossbar and bounces out.
That seemed to be in for most around the ground.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
70. This is more like it from Morocco.
Quick one-two's, movement and driving into space.
Ziyech heads towards goal and is seemingly sandwiched by two defenders at the edge of the box.
The referee is having none of it and tells the Chelsea man to get up.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
68. There seems to be no urgency from Canada to push forward but the way they are set up tactically is working much better for them.
Morocco are having to defend deep to keep the Canadian drives forward at bay.
Still plenty of time for things to change here.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
64. David is making a nuisance of himself since coming on.
Kone, the other substitute, only made his professional debut in February.
Some stage he finds himself at now.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
62. As things stand it will be Belgium going out.
Morocco and Croatia would go through from this group.
Canada are still knocking on the door here.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
60. Play stops as Hoilett receives some treatment.
Nothing really wrong with the challenge but the player caught him with his knee as he ran past him.
Hutchinson, Kone and David come on for Canada.