Azzedine Ounahi’s goal early in the second half propelled Morocco ahead, prompting a gesture of delight from coach Mohamed Ouahbi. His reaction was likely a mix of joy and relief, having taken over in February from Walid Regragui, the nation’s most successful coach. Although Regragui’s tenure ended with some controversy, Ouahbi’s leadership has quickly become noteworthy. Just five months into his role, Morocco has made history as the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on two occasions, showcasing an improved performance.
Despite the criticism Regragui faced during the 2025 Cup of Nations, which Morocco hosted, many observers felt it was unjust. He led the team to a World Cup semi-final and recorded only four losses in 49 matches, including a defeat to France in Qatar and a third-place playoff against Croatia. The question remains: was he overly defensive, or was that simply the necessary style for Morocco?
Regragui’s departure followed a contentious final against Senegal, paving the way for Ouahbi, a former assistant at Anderlecht, who had previously guided Morocco to victory in the Under-20 World Cup. Ouahbi has introduced a more aggressive and progressive playing style. With sharper finishing, Morocco might have avoided penalties against the Netherlands in the Round of 32 and could have secured victory against Brazil in the group stage.
However, this match was characterized by a more traditional Moroccan approach—tenacious and competitive, with its creative talents primarily displayed during counterattacks. It was unclear if their cautious start was a tactical choice or a reaction to Canada’s aggressive play.
Ouahbi’s Morocco matched Regragui’s resilience, executing a classic “smash and grab” strategy. They managed to control the game’s tempo, even after losing Ismael Saibari to injury just before the first hydration break. Saibari had been a standout player, and without him, Morocco struggled offensively, managing just one touch in the Canadian box before halftime.
Remarkably, they didn’t require a second opportunity to score. Just six minutes into the second half, Achraf Hakimi set up Ounahi, who skillfully converted from just outside the area. Ounahi had been fortunate to remain on the pitch after receiving a yellow card in the first half and committing a foul shortly before the goal, which Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio pointed out to referee Michael Oliver.
Morocco executed their game plan effectively. Canada had committed to a vigorous opening, but once that energy waned, the team struggled. Yassine Bounou made a crucial save against Tani Oluwaseyi, and as Morocco transitioned to a more defensive posture, Canada found it difficult to regain their earlier momentum. Ounahi added a second goal after a break initiated by Chemsdine Talbi and Brahim Díaz, while Soufiane Rahimi capped off the scoring in injury time after nearly netting with a header that hit the crossbar.
The trend of early-stage revolutions in football is becoming increasingly familiar. A team often shines brightest when the remnants of a nation’s identity are still intact. This was evident with Liverpool under Arne Slot, as he built upon Jürgen Klopp’s legacy. Similarly, Stefan Kovacs at Ajax and Claudio Ranieri at Leicester City utilized the groundwork laid by their predecessors to achieve remarkable success.
However, challenges often arise later, as evidenced by Germany’s struggles. Their overhaul may have won them a World Cup, but discarding the leadership culture that once propelled their success has left them vulnerable to underperformance. While this is a concern for the future, Morocco currently balances Ouahbi’s innovative style with the solid foundation established by Regragui.
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