Morocco came from behind twice before securing a 4-2 victory over Haiti in their final Group C match, denying the Caribbean nation a historic first FIFA World Cup point and booking a place in the knockout stage.
Late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine in Atlanta ensured Morocco finished the group phase with a win, although the result was not enough to move them above Brazil, who topped the group after defeating Scotland.
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists will now face either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the round of 32.
Haiti, already eliminated after defeats to Scotland and Brazil, produced a spirited display and twice took the lead against their higher-ranked opponents.
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The Caribbean side opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Lenny Joseph’s flicked effort came off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and found the net. The goal was recorded as an own goal, denying Joseph the chance to become Haiti’s first men’s World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon in 1974.
Morocco responded before halftime through Achraf Hakimi. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back bundled the ball home in the 39th minute after Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide failed to deal with Brahim Diaz’s effort.
Haiti restored their advantage two minutes later with one of the goals of the tournament. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards into the top corner, sparking celebrations among the Haiti supporters.
However, Morocco equalised again in first-half stoppage time when Ismael Saibari scored his third goal of the tournament. Hakimi provided the assist after a well-worked attacking move.
Placide produced several saves to keep Haiti level for much of the second half, but Morocco’s pressure eventually paid off.
Substitute Rahimi put the North Africans ahead in the 78th minute when his effort took a deflection off defender Ricardo Ade and beat Placide.
Yassine then sealed the victory in the closing stages after Rahimi kept the ball in play near the byline, with a video assistant referee review confirming the ball had not gone out before the decisive cross.
The defeat ended Haiti’s campaign without a point, but the team doubled its all-time World Cup goal tally and pushed one of Africa’s strongest sides throughout an entertaining contest.
Morocco, meanwhile, advanced to the knockout rounds as Group C runners-up and will continue their quest for another deep World Cup run when they face either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the last 32.
