KUCHING: Morocco came from behind twice before late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine secured a 4-2 victory over Haiti at Atlanta Stadium today (MYT), sealing second place in Group C and a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
The 2022 semi-finalists were made to work for their qualification by an inspired Haiti side, who twice stunned Morocco after entering the match already eliminated following defeats to Scotland and Brazil.
Haiti thought they had made history in the 10th minute when Lenny Joseph bundled home, but the effort was later credited as an own goal by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, denying Joseph the distinction of becoming Haiti’s first World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon in 1974.
Achraf Hakimi restored parity in the 39th minute after reacting quickest inside the box, only for Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor to restore Haiti’s lead with a stunning long-range strike just before half-time.
Morocco responded again in first-half stoppage time through Ismael Saibari, who netted his third goal of the tournament after a well-worked move involving Hakimi.
Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate Morocco before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute, with substitute Rahimi’s effort taking a deflection off Ricardo Ade before finding the net.
Yassine wrapped up the victory in the 89th minute after Rahimi kept the ball alive near the byline, with VAR confirming the whole ball had remained in play before the substitute squared for a simple finish.
The result confirmed Morocco as Group C runners-up behind Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 to finish top of the standings.
Morocco will now face either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the Round of 32, while Haiti bowed out of the tournament without a point despite producing arguably their most competitive display of the campaign.
