Azzedine Ounahi has etched his name into World Cup history after scoring a brace in Morocco’s knockout-stage victory, becoming the first player in the country’s history to net twice in a World Cup elimination match.
The midfielder’s standout performance also places him among a rare group of African greats.
He is now only the fourth African player ever to score a brace in a World Cup knockout game, joining Egypt’s Abdelrahman Fawzi (1934), Cameroon legend Roger Milla (1990) and Senegal’s Henri Camara (2002).
Ounahi’s achievement comes at a time when Morocco continue to build one of their most impressive World Cup campaigns, with the midfielder emerging as one of the key figures in their run through the tournament.
His double not only secured victory in the latest knockout tie but also highlighted Morocco’s growing attacking depth, with multiple players contributing decisive goals across the competition.
Historically, Moroccan World Cup goals have often been shared across different individuals, but Ounahi’s brace marks a significant individual milestone, breaking new ground for the Atlas Lions on football’s biggest stage.
The performance also reinforces the increasing influence of North African football on the global stage, with Morocco once again underlining their status as one of the continent’s leading sides at the tournament.
As the Atlas Lions progress further into the competition, Ounahi’s record-setting display will be remembered as one of the defining individual moments of their campaign, a blend of history, precision, and timing when it mattered most.
