Morocco survived a huge Haiti scare before securing a 4-2 win on Wednesday, coming from behind twice to book a place in the FIFA World Cup round of 32.Substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine played crucial roles late in the match, scoring decisive goals as Morocco ended Haiti’s hopes of earning their first point of the tournament.
Haiti made history with a first step
Playing in just their second World Cup and first since 1974, Haiti stunned the African champions in the 10th minute. Lenny Joseph met a delivery at the near post and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.The goal had historic significance, making it Joseph Haiti’s first World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon found the net more than five decades ago.
Hakimi answers, but Haiti strikes again
Morocco dominated possession after falling behind and eventually found an equalizer six minutes before half-time. Achraf Hakimi capitalized after Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide failed to fully deal with a deflected cross from Bilal El Khanouss.The level point did not last long. Four minutes later, Wilson Isidor restored Haiti’s lead with a spectacular long-range effort that curled into the top corner, leaving Bounou with no chance.
Saibari levels before the break
The first half still had another turn. In stoppage time, Ismael Saibari finished off a Hakimi cross to make it 2-2 at half time.It was Saibari’s third goal of the tournament and ensured Morocco stayed level despite a difficult opening 45 minutes.
Second half substitutes sealed the win
Morocco increased the pressure after the interval and finally took control in the closing stages. Rahimi, introduced from the bench, put his side ahead in the 78th minute when his shot took a deflection on its way into the net.As Haiti pushed forward in search of another equalizer, Yassine ended the contest with an 89th-minute goal to complete the comeback and secure Morocco’s passage to the knockout rounds.
Morocco through, Haiti bows
The win saw Morocco finish second in Group C behind Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 in the other group game. Morocco will now face the finalist of Group F – either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden – in Guadalajara.Despite the defeat, Haiti won praise for pushing one of the tournament’s contenders all the way and is close to producing one of the biggest upsets of the competition.After the match, midfielder Bilal El Khannouss admitted that Morocco had not been at their best earlier.“Sometimes we lacked humility and paid the price for it. We were not fully engaged in the duels, we gave confidence and allowed them to grow in the game and score twice. At half time, the coach told us that we need to be more aggressive, win the second balls and bring a greater intensity to our attacking game.”
