Morocco knocked out co-hosts Canada in the first match of the Round of 16 to reach the last 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists defeated the Maple Leaf nation 3-0.

The first half was all Canada but they couldn’t convert dominance to goals. In the 2nd half, Azzedine Ounahi scored a brace in the 50th and 82nd minutes before Soufiane Rahimi topped up in the 98th minute. Brahim Diaz got 2 assists, Achraf Hakimi got the other assist.

@OptaJoe: 50% – Morocco now account for 50% of all African knockout stage victories in FIFA World Cup history (4/8).

4 – 🇲🇦 Morocco
1 – 🇨🇲 Cameroon, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇪🇬 Egypt

Dominant.

France needed a second half penalty to overcome a physical Paraguay side. Less than 5 minutes after coming on for Bradley Bracola, Desire Doue danced in the Paraguay box and was fouled. VAR intervention was required before Mbappe converted the penalty in the 70th minute.

The game was on the edge with all shades of dark arts and uncalled fouls. Paraguay didn’t have enough quality to attack. They had isolated opportunities until the last 7 minutes when they tried to get an equaliser. Les Blues themselves weren’t clicking upfront as the South Americans were up for the task. Orlando Gill made a double save from Mbappe to keep the score at 1-0.

So we have France vs Morocco as our 1st quarter final fixture of the 2026 World Cup. Will Morocco revenge the 2022 semi-final loss? Will France overcome again? We would have to wait till Thursday. Did you see Saliba’s speed in the game?

Today, there is Brazil vs Norway in East Rutherford (Metlife New York New Jersey Stadium) and we will be in Mexico City for Mexico vs England.

There have been talks about the altitude level of the Mexico City Stadium. Not sure why it is coming now. We have had a match in each phase of the 2026 World Cup. Tonight will be another, England will have to overcome the physiological challenges to get a victory. Mexico’s home record is frightening though.

Predictions: Brazil 2-1 Norway, Mexico 1-1 England.