Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has described Morocco’s upcoming World Cup Round of 16 clash against Canada as a “special” encounter following the North Africans’ dramatic victory over the Netherlands.
Henry shared his thoughts while speaking on Fox Sports after Morocco booked their place in the last 16 by knocking out the Dutch in a tense Round of 32 contest.
The former France international was particularly impressed by Morocco’s confidence and mentality heading into the match, praising the team for refusing to view themselves as underdogs despite facing one of Europe’s traditional football powers.
According to Henry, Morocco’s fearless approach played a major role in their success against the Netherlands and could make their next fixture against Canada one of the standout matches of the knockout stage.
“I like how they approached the game,” Henry said.
“The coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, said something at the beginning that we are not scared of anyone, we are not underdogs.
“We are here to try to play. The Morocco game against Canada will be special.”
Morocco secured their place in the Round of 16 after overcoming the Netherlands in a hard-fought encounter. The match ended 1-1 after regulation time and extra time, forcing a penalty shoot-out.
The Atlas Lions held their nerve from the spot to claim a 3-2 victory and continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
Canada also earned their place in the knockout stages after eliminating South Africa from the tournament. Their victory ensured they would set up a highly anticipated showdown with Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals.
Saturday’s clash at Houston Stadium is expected to attract significant attention, with both teams aiming to continue their impressive runs in the competition.
Morocco will head into the fixture full of confidence after their victory over the Netherlands, while Canada will be eager to prove they can overcome another major test and keep their World Cup dream alive.
With a quarter-final spot on the line and both sides carrying momentum into the encounter, Henry believes the match has all the ingredients to deliver a memorable contest.
