Wahbi's tactical touches make the difference.

The Moroccan national team secured its ticket to the quarter-finals of the North American World Cup, emerging from hardship and avoiding a harsh exit in its least impressive match in the global event, thanks to the exceptional coaching of its coach Mohamed Wahbi against Canada on Saturday in Houston.

For the second consecutive time, the promising coach Wahbi (49 years old) proved that in the famous second half known as the "coaches' half," it is the details that matter, which are not solely created by the feet, and he demonstrated the intelligence of his coaching staff before the quality of the players.

Against the Netherlands in Monterrey in the Round of 32, Wahbi turned the tables on the Dutch in a second half where he also avoided a bitter exit this time because his team was the better side for most of the match, but his net conceded a goal that remained intact until stoppage time, when defender Issa Diop equalized, forcing extra time and then penalty kicks that smiled upon the "Atlas Lions."

After the match, Wahbi said, "One of my main strengths is that I surround myself with people with skills and competencies, and during the break against the Netherlands, my coaching staff and I analyzed the first half and succeeded in overcoming it. I have a great coaching staff, and everyone shares their opinion, and everyone spends their nights helping the national team."

Against Canada, Morocco was surprised by the strong push from the Canadians, who had their worst start in the tournament, after they usually began and ended their matches with possession, control, and many chances.

Canada earned three consecutive corners in the first five minutes and three attempts on goal in the first 10 minutes, with no opportunities for Wahbi's players, as they only managed one shot between the posts in the first half.

But things changed completely in the second half when they scored three goals from four attacking attempts, including a crossbar hit by Sofiane Rahimi, thanks to Wahbi's substitutions and ideas that curbed the Canadians, who rarely threatened Yassine Bounou's goal.

The "Atlas Lions" coach praised the players' quick response to the instructions, confirming that the team won because it "remained calm, played courageously, and in its usual style, which enabled it to impose its control and finish the match with a clean three-goal victory."

He pointed out that the team needed to increase the intensity of tackles and win second balls, but he clarified that "matching the Canadian team in this aspect alone was not enough, given the physical strength that the opponent possesses."