Morocco were pushed to the limit by a fearless Haiti side before two late goals secured a dramatic 4-2 victory in Atlanta and sealed second place in World Cup Group C.
In a match packed with twists, momentum swings and moments of individual brilliance, the Atlas Lions twice came from behind before finally pulling away in the closing stages. The result ensured progress to the last 32, although Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil held on to top spot with victory over Scotland.
The atmosphere inside Atlanta Stadium was electric long before kick-off. Haiti’s supporters, knowing their team’s World Cup journey was coming to an end, turned the occasion into a celebration of pride and passion. Their energy was rewarded after only 10 minutes when Lenny Joseph’s clever flick found the net via Yassine Bounou, with the goal eventually recorded as an own goal.
Morocco struggled to find rhythm early on and needed a series of attacking surges to break Haiti’s resistance. Goalkeeper Johny Placide produced several outstanding saves, including a remarkable double stop to deny Achraf Hakimi and Ayoub El Kaabi.
The pressure finally told six minutes before half-time. Placide could only parry Bilal El Khannouss’ effort and Hakimi reacted quickest to bundle home the rebound.
Haiti’s response was immediate and spectacular. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor produced one of the goals of the tournament, unleashing a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner that sent the Haitian fans into wild celebration.
Yet Morocco hit back again before the interval. Ismael Saibari calmly swept home from Hakimi’s cutback to score his third goal of the tournament and restore parity at 2-2.
The second half became a test of patience. Haiti remained organised and dangerous on the counterattack, while Morocco dominated possession and territory. The difference ultimately came from the depth available to Walid Regragui’s side.
With 12 minutes remaining, substitute Soufiane Rahimi collected a flick-on from Chadi Riad before firing home via a deflection. The goal broke Haiti’s resistance and shifted the mood inside the stadium.
There was still time for another decisive moment. Gessime Yassine thought he had wrapped up victory when he converted after Rahimi kept the ball alive near the byline. A lengthy VAR review followed, but the goal stood, sparking celebrations among the Moroccan supporters.
Beyond the result, several individual performances stood out. Saibari became the first African player to score in all three group-stage matches of a single World Cup and the first Moroccan to score three goals at one tournament.
Hakimi was equally influential. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back scored his first World Cup goal and created seven chances, taking his overall tournament tally to 22, the most by any Moroccan player in World Cup history.
For Haiti, the defeat was painful but dignified. They leave the tournament without a point, yet with memories of a spirited performance that earned admiration from across the football world.
Morocco march on. The scoreline suggests comfort, but the journey to the knockout stage was anything but straightforward.
