MOROCCO are currently TOP of Group F after Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring from long-range.
It was Milan Borjan, the Canada goalkeeper, who is at fault for the goal after taking a heavy touch into the path of the Moroccan.
Chelsea’s winger made no mistake, finishing 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.
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.
- Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- TV channel: BBC TWO
- Group F: LIVE TABLE
- Canada XI: Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies; Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett
- Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
- Preview: How Morocco can qualify for the last-16
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Canada 1-2 Morocco
46. That goal just before half time will have rejuvenated the Canadians.
They were completely out of this game at 2-0 down.
The Atlas Lions will be keen to restore that two goal lead as soon as they can in this second half.
Kick-off: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Canada get the second half started.
No changes for either side at half time.
Big half ahead for Morocco now.
HT: Canada 1-2 Morocco
The Atlas Lions need to get another goal to give themselves some breathing space in this game.
Otherwise, the run the risk of having a very nervy second half if Canada equalise and continue to press.
Meanwhile, in the other group game it remains 0-0 between Croatia and Belgium.
Fans will be feeling the nerves until that final whistle is blown.
Credit: Reuters
In the ground – half time analysis
SunSport’s reporter Oscar Paul reports from Doha:
The raucous Morocco supporters must have felt qualification was done and dusted after early strikes from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Now, at 2-1 following Nayef Aguerd’s own goal – the 100th goal of this World Cup – there will be a few nerves jangling.
The Africans top the group at half-time with Belgium drawing 0-0 with Croatia at the break.
Yet an early Canada goal at the start of the second half would really set pulses racing.
Morocco are playing brilliantly but will want to reestablish that two-goal advantage before the party can really kick off.
En-Nesyri thought he had his second just before the break but it was ruled out because Aguerd was adjudged to be blocking the goalkeeper.
HT: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Hakim Ziyech seems to lead this Moroccan side with their attacking threat.
He sticks to his job for the national team and hugs that touchline, looking to bring others into the game.
HT: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Despite slightly shading the possession stats, there has only really been one team in this for the main.
Morocco will feel hard done by with the Canadian goal, which was just genuine bad luck.
HT: Canada 1-2 Morocco
The referee brings the half to a close.
Morocco lead and are heading for the last 16 as things stand.
Canada will feel they have got themselves back into this game.
Credit: Reuters Canada 1-2 Morocco
45+4. Just when you think the officials cannot surprise you, they just say ‘hold my pint’.
The linesman has his flag up, presumably for offside.
Replays show no offside but potentially a Moroccan player was in the keeper’s eyeline when the shot came in.
How would the linesman see that from the touchline, begs belief.
Either way the goal is chalked off.
Goal disallowed
Goal – Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)
Canada 1-2 Morocco
45+2. Morocco look to come forward once again.
The crowd have been quietened by that own goal.
It’s a yellow card for Adekugbe for his foul on Hakimi.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
45. We are going to see five additional minutes added.
That must be for that tea party earlier.
Walid Regragui needs to get his troops in the changing rooms and get the them to regroup.
That goal seems to have knocked them.
Credit: Reuters Canada 1-2 Morocco
43. That is the first goal Morocco have conceded under Walid Regragui’s reign.
The Canadians are playing with a lot more confidence now.
Just goes to show how important a goal is in any context of the game for changing your fortunes.
Morocco have a game on their hands again.
Canada 1-2 Morocco
41. Out of nowhere, Canada are back in this game.
Adekugbe crosses the ball from the left and Aguerd throws a leg at it and deflects it passed his keeper and in.
Totally against the run of play of this half.
Goal – Nayef Aguerd own goal (Morocco)
Canada 0-2 Morocco
39. There is something missing from this Canadian team.
Just the ability to make something happen in midfield and attack.
Too often their play seems to have no penetration.
Credit: AP Canada 0-1 Morocco
37. Canada are struggling to string a series of passes together.
You have to give credit to the Moroccan tactics as they are creating this in their opponents.
Still the fans whistle as Canada have the ball.
Canada 0-2 Morocco
35. We have a slight break in play as the officials have a tea party on the side of the pitch.
Maybe one of them needs their batteries changing.
Walid Regragui takes the opportunity to get some messages across to his players.
Canada 0-2 Morocco
33. Morocco are getting numbers behind the ball all of the time.
There seems no way through for the attacking Canadians.
Morocco are bossing this game all over the pitch.
Canada 0-2 Morocco
31. Credit where it is due, Canada are not giving up on this game.
Their fans have been silenced by this Moroccan performance, left wondering what could have been.
If only Alphonso Davies put that penalty away.
Credit: PA Canada 0-2 Morocco
29. Canada are having some possession now.
With no way through the Moroccan lines, they pass back to their defenders.
Walid Regragui really has the Midas touch with this team.
I wonder if tomorrow will be a Bank Holiday in Morocco.
Canada 0-2 Morocco – Osorio yellow card
27. The Atlas Lions are not a team anyone will want to face in the knockout phases of the competition.
Solid at the back, physical, can pass the ball and finish their chances.
Some could even say dark horses for this World Cup.
Meanwhile Osorio is shown the yellow card for Canada.
Canada 0-2 Morocco
25. Ball in behind the Canadian defence and Youssef En-Nesyri gets himself onto it, beating two defenders in a foot race.
From the edge of the box he buries the shot passed the Canadian keeper.
It is party time for all those Moroccan fans now.
Credit: Getty Goal – Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)
Canada 0-1 Morocco
22. Morocco could become only the second African side to qualify for the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup.
Senegal of course play England on Sunday.
The travelling African fans are enjoying their day so far.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
