Morocco Triumphs Over Haiti in Thrilling World Cup Clash
Morocco's Comeback Victory
Photo: @AfricaFirsts/X
Atlanta, June 25: In an exhilarating match at Atlanta Stadium, Morocco rallied to overcome a resilient Haiti team during their final group stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite facing a significant challenge with Haiti taking the lead twice, the Atlas Lions managed to secure a remarkable victory.
This win allowed Morocco to finish second in Group C, advancing to the Round of 32 as runners-up. They are set to face the winner of Group F, which could be the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden. Meanwhile, Haiti, despite their exit, garnered admiration for their spirited performance in their first World Cup appearance in over five decades.
Haiti opened the scoring with their first World Cup goal since 1974, taking a 1-0 lead. However, Morocco quickly equalized. Isidor then delivered a stunning goal for Haiti, but Morocco responded once more. The second half saw Morocco dominate, with goals from Rahimi and Yassine sealing the match, according to FIFA reports.
Playing without pressure, Haiti created an exciting first half filled with action, scoring four goals. They struck first just ten minutes into the game when full-back Jean-Kevin Duverne set up Lenny Joseph, who executed a clever backheel flick. The ball deflected off Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bono, marking Haiti's first World Cup goal in 52 years.
Morocco, awakened by Haiti's goal, pressed for an equalizer. After several attempts thwarted by Johny Placide, Achraf Hakimi finally found the net, pushing the ball over the line after Placide had deflected a shot from Bilal El Khannouss.
Haiti regained the lead shortly after with a spectacular strike from Isidor, who unleashed a powerful shot from distance. However, the goal frenzy continued, and in first-half stoppage time, Hakimi assisted Saibari, who calmly finished to level the score at halftime.
In the second half, Morocco gradually applied pressure on Haiti, culminating in Soufiane Rahimi's goal with just over ten minutes remaining, as he scored from a deflected corner kick. Youngster Gessime Yassine added a fourth goal in the closing moments, ensuring Morocco's victory.