Morocco survived a major scare before eventually overpowering Haiti 4-2 in a pulsating World Cup Group C encounter in Atlanta, sealing qualification for the knockout stages while extending their remarkable unbeaten run to 32 matches.
For long periods, the Atlas Lions looked set for a frustrating evening against a Haitian side already eliminated from the tournament but determined to leave with a positive memory.
Instead, Morocco’s quality eventually told as goals from Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi and substitute Gessime Yassine completed a dramatic comeback victory.
The result ensured Morocco finished second in Group C, while Haiti departed the tournament with an unwanted piece of history, becoming only the second nation to lose each of their first six World Cup matches.
Haiti stunned the North Africans inside the opening ten minutes. Wilson Isidor. Photocredit: AFP
Jean-Kevin Duverne delivered a dangerous cross into the area and Lenny Joseph’s clever flick caused chaos, with the ball taking a cruel deflection off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou before ending up in the net for an unfortunate own goal.
The early setback jolted Morocco into life. Ayoub El Kaabi and Ismael Saibari both went close as Johny Placide produced a string of impressive saves to keep Haiti in front. The experienced goalkeeper denied El Kaabi, thwarted Hakimi from close range and repeatedly frustrated the Atlas Lions as pressure mounted.
Morocco eventually found a route back into the contest six minutes before half-time.
A scramble inside the penalty area saw the ball break kindly for Hakimi, who reacted quickest to stab home from close range. A brief VAR review confirmed the goal, allowing Morocco to draw level.
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Just four minutes later, Wilson Isidor produced one of the goals of the tournament. After Duverne won possession high up the pitch, the forward unleashed a stunning long-range effort that flew into the top corner beyond the helpless Bounou, restoring Haiti’s lead and silencing the crowd.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Hakimi again proved influential, driving forward before squaring for Saibari, who swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.
The strike carried additional significance as Saibari became the first African player to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup.
With qualification and group positioning on the line, Morocco emerged from the interval with renewed urgency.
Placide continued to inspire Haiti’s resistance, producing another excellent stop to deny Bilal El Khannouss, while the Caribbean side defended courageously against wave after wave of Moroccan attacks.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute. A Morocco corner caused confusion inside the Haitian penalty area, and substitute Soufiane Rahimi reacted quickest to a loose ball before firing into the net to complete the turnaround.
The goal ended Haiti’s hopes of claiming a historic first point at the World Cup and shifted momentum firmly in Morocco’s favour.
As Haiti pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, spaces opened up at the other end.
Those gaps were ruthlessly exploited in stoppage time when Rahimi kept the ball alive near the byline and squared across goal for fellow substitute Gessime Yassine, who calmly converted his first senior international goal.
Although the scoreline ultimately flattered Morocco, it reflected the attacking depth and resilience that have become trademarks of their impressive run under Mohamed Ouahbi.
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Morocco march into the knockout rounds full of confidence, unbeaten in 32 consecutive matches across all competitions and increasingly looking like a team capable of challenging the world’s elite.
