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Morocco reap the rewards with Hakim Ziyech back and at his best

By Ben Burrows in Doha

When Walid Regragui took over as Morocco coach with the World Cup on the horizon, he knew the decision he had to make first.

With one of his first acts in charge, Hakim Ziyech, banished out into the cold by former boss Vahid Halilhodzic over his willingness to play for the national side, was welcomed warmly back into the fold.

An often divisive figure at Chelsea, Ziyech has routinely struggled for consistent form and playing time for long periods at Stamford Bridge, his body language not helping the observation that this is a player the club have yet to properly get the best out of, the swagger and arrogance that has been seen to such positive effect in this tournament too often coming off instead as a negative.

Here in Qatar, though, back amongst his countrymen on the grandest stage of all, Ziyech is now showing just how good he can be when player and team are properly aligned.

After a lively if not ultimately decisive performance in the opening draw with Croatia on Wednesday, Ziyech came properly to life against Belgium on Sunday, the catalyst to, and driving force behind, a famous Atlas Lions win.

Croatia 4-1 Canada - MATCH REPORT

Another World Cup 2022 day, another World Cup moment of history. Just 90 seconds after kick-off, Canada had their first-ever goal at a finals, Alphonso Davies had his moment of redemption and the Qatar tournament had its earliest goal in any game.

The best side in Concacaf qualifying had shown their qualities in the opener against Belgium without earning reward – mostly due to Davies seeing a penalty saved, but with profligacy elsewhere too.

This time the fast start brought the best reward of all, but despite those opening scenes of jubilation and pride, promise and potential, Canada are out.

One of the stories of the tournament so far, their enterprising approach and clutch of high-energy, high-impact players have impressed many. But ultimately two defeats leave them falling short in Group F while Croatia, finalists last time and 4-1 winners here, need only avoid defeat next time to progress.

Both managers opted for changes to personnel after failing to win last time out; both opted for two centre-forwards on the team sheet, although employed in different ways.

Morocco boss vows to play for the win in bid to reach first World Cup knockouts in 36 years

Morocco coach Walid Regragui will not make the mistake of playing for a draw against Canada as they look to make it out of the World Cup group stage for the first time in more than 35 years.

Following a stunning 2-0 victory over Belgium, the Atlas Lions stand on the verge of reaching the knockout rounds for only the second time in the country’s history, last doing so in 1986.

Canada, meanwhile, have only pride left to play for following a 4-1 defeat to Croatia after being edged out by Belgium in the opening Group F match after Alphonso Davies’ first-half penalty was saved.

Regragui, though, maintains Morocco must stay fully focused against a team intent on finishing the tournament on a positive note as Canada look ahead to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

“We know that we are coming up against a team which has got nothing to lose as they are already eliminated and will be out to hold their heads up high,” said Regragui, who replaced Vahid Halilhodzic as Morocco head coach just three months ago.

“But we also have a lot to get out of the game. We are motivated and are preparing for a difficult game.”

Regragui added: “It would be an error to go into the match thinking you only need to give 20 or 30 per cent because the draw is fine for us. We are coming up against a team who want to take their first points from a World Cup, so they will be giving it everything right up until the final whistle.

Canada: Borjan, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies, Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett

Subs: St. Clair, Piette, Fraser, Cavallini, Ugbo, Hutchinson, Kone, Pantemis, David, Laryea, Millar, Wotherspoon, Cornelius, Waterman.

Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

Subs: Hamdallah, Zaroury, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Amallah, Ezzalzouli, El Yamiq, Dari, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, El Khannous, Benoun, Attiyat Allah, Jabrane.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Canada vs Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha!

The equation for Morocco is pretty simple: win and they are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1986!

Canada, despite wowing with their aggressive style of play, are already out having lost their first two games against Belgium and Croatia and are simply playing for pride in their final group game of Qatar 2022.

Kick-off is at 3pm (GMT) - team-news on the way!