Canada coach Jesse Marsch said his team performed better than Morocco in the first half but was eliminated after losing 0-3 in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Houston Stadium, United States, on Sunday.
"In terms of our game plan, the way we wanted to play, and the players' confidence in facing one of the best teams that had been unbeaten for a long time, we performed much better in the first half, even at the start of the second," Marsch told FIFA's website.
However, according to him, Morocco's quality in the final third of the pitch was the deciding factor in the final third of the match.
"They created a few better chances than us, but raising the intensity wasn't the problem. They just had better quality in the final third, while we lacked the ability to create decisive moments when we needed them," said Marsch.
The former Leeds United manager assessed that Canada dominated the first half, even into the early stages of the second. However, Azzedine Ounahi's opening goal changed the course of the match and left his team struggling to catch up.
"There was one moment that made it 1-0. Our eleven players were outstanding in the first half, and we were unlucky not to take the lead. After that, the game was decided by small details," he said.
