Canada's men's national team culminated their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ campaign with a 2-1 loss to Group F winners Morocco in their final group stage match on Thursday at Al Thumama Stadium in Al Thumama, Qatar.
The match saw two former Whitecaps FC Academy products start for Canada in the form of Sam Adekugbe and Alphonso Davies.
In the fourth minute of the match, Morocco gained the early advantage through winger Hakim Ziyech, who found the net from 25 yards out to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The AFCON side would double their lead 20 minutes later as forward Youssef En-Nesyri volleyed home his effort past Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan to make it 2-0 for Morocco.
Despite falling behind, Canada would continue pushing for a goal themselves and found one five minutes before the halftime interval.
After some neat combination with wingback Tajon Buchanan, Adekugbe glided past Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and sent in a low, driven cross into the box. The ball found its way to Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd, who deflected the ball into the his own goal to give Canada some life in the match.
Fast forward to the 71st minute, Canada narrowly missed out on tying the match at 2-2. Wingback Junior Hoilett whipped a corner kick into the box which found midfielder Atiba Hutchinson but his effort raddled off the crossbar and out, with Alistair Johnston putting the rebound just over the bar.
Canada continued to trouble the Moroccan backline but weren't able to find their equalizer, putting an end to their World Cup campaign.
The group will now lock their focus towards 2023, as they get set to compete in Concacaf Nations League and Concacaf Gold Cup action.
