Morocco reach – Soufiane Rahimi’s deflected goal in the 78th minute and Gessime Yassine’s strike in the 89th helped Morocco beat Haiti 4-2, erasing the Caribbean side’s hopes of a first World Cup point. Morocco advanced to the round of 32 second in Group C behind Brazil.
ATLANTA — The moment Morocco finally pulled ahead, it felt like a release. Soufiane Rahimi’s deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco 3-2 in front, and just 11 minutes later Gessime Yassine made it 4-2 with a goal in the 89th, wiping out Haiti’s dream of a first ever point at the World Cup.
Morocco had already made history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals four years ago in Qatar. But Wednesday’s match demanded proof that they could handle a challenge in their own way—especially against a team playing football’s biggest stage for the first time in 52 years.
Haiti struck first, taking a surprise lead in the 10th minute. Lenny Jospeh’s back-heeled flick at the near post went in off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. which was officially credited as an own-goal. It was Haiti’s first World Cup goal since Emmanuel Sanon’s strike for Haiti in 1974. with Haiti’s only other appearance at the tournament coming in that year.
Morocco didn’t take long to respond. Achraf Hakimi leveled in the 39th minute when Johny Placide got a hand to Bilal El Khannouss’ deflected cross. but Hakimi bundled the ball over the line anyway. Haiti’s lead lasted only four minutes, though. Wilson Isidor scored from outside the box at 43 minutes. drilling a shot that flew into the top corner to make it 3-2 to Haiti.
Just when Morocco appeared unable to find the next gear, Ismael Saibari delivered again at the end of the half. In stoppage time, Saibari swept Hakimi’s cross past Placide to level 2-2 at the break, bringing his tournament tally to three goals.
After halftime, Morocco looked more likely to explode—but it was the way Haiti had stayed in the match that made every moment tense. Bilal El Khannouss later described the difference between the first half and what the team was told to change.
“At times we lacked humility and paid the price for it,” El Khannouss said. “We weren’t fully committed in the duels. we gave them confidence and allowed them to grow into the game and score twice. At halftime. the coach told us we needed to be more aggressive. win the second balls and bring greater intensity to our attacking play.”.
Morocco’s comeback completed itself in a matter of minutes. Rahimi’s 78th-minute deflection gave them the lead for the first time since Haiti’s early strike. Then Yassine’s 89th-minute goal finished the job and ensured Haiti’s qualification hopes ended without a point.
Morocco advanced to the round of 32 in second place behind Brazil in Group C. Their next match will be against the runner-up in Group F. which will be decided by results involving the Netherlands. Japan or Sweden in Monterrey. Brazil, meanwhile, confirmed their place after beating Scotland 3-0 in the other Group C match.
For Haiti, the disappointment was immediate, but the message carried across the frustration. Sébastien Migné, Haiti’s coach, said he was “disappointed” for Haitian fans—while insisting the team had still earned the right to be there.
“I am disappointed for the Haitian fans,” Migné said. “Disappointed, but also, I want to say we managed to show that we were worthy of this qualification. We were in the right place. Now we need to make some improvements and not wait for another 52 years.”
Morocco Haiti World Cup Group C Soufiane Rahimi Gessime Yassine Achraf Hakimi Yassine Bounou Johny Placide Wilson Isidor Ismael Saibari Bilal El Khannouss Sébastien Migné Atlanta