Canada to face Morocco in Round of 16 at FIFA World Cup

Canada will face Morocco in the Round of 16 at the World Cup after the North African giants defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in penalty kicks on Monday in Guadalupe, Mexico.

The Round of 32 match went to penalty kicks after the teams were tied 1-1.

Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute, but Issa Diop tied the match one minute into second-half stoppage time. After two scoreless 15-minute halves, the match was decided in penalty kicks.

It will mark the second straight World Cup featuring a showdown between Canada and Morocco.

The Atlas Lions, who entered the tournament ranked seventh in the world, defeated Canada 2-1 in their final group-stage game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before making a run to the semifinals.

No. 30 Canada advanced to the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in Los Angeles. It was Canada's first ever appearance in a World Cup knockout game.