Canada exits World Cup without a win after loss to Morocco

For the second time in 36 years, Canada has failed to win a game at the World Cup after dropping a 2-1 decision to Morocco on Thursday.

Canada, which had already been eliminated from the knockout round following its loss to Croatia, conceded a goal in the fourth minute after a defensive mishap between Steven Vitoria and goaltender Milan Borjan.

Canada then fell behind by two goals in the 23rd minute before getting one back just before halftime as Morocco’s Nayef Aguerd tipped a pass from Canada’s Sam Adekugbe into his own net – the first goal Morocco has surrendered at the tournament.

Canada came agonizingly close when a header from captain Atiba Hutchinson, who came on as a second-half substitute, bounced off the crossbar and onto the goal-line. Replays showed part of the ball had crossed the line but not all of it.

It was the third win for Morocco in four meetings against Canada with the other match finishing in a draw.

With the win, Morocco — which is making its sixth appearance at the World Cup — finished atop Group F with seven points after Croatia and Belgium played to a scoreless draw.

Canada, which will co-host the next World Cup in 2026 with the United States and Mexico, lost all three of its games in Qatar, matching its three defeats at its only other World Cup appearance in 1986.

“It’s been the first time in a long time of being here,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “We’d like to have been here longer, that’s for sure. But we’ve enjoyed the ride.”

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report

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