Morocco are through to the World Cup last 32 after beating Haiti 4-2, but the result was far less straightforward than the scoreline suggests. They finished level with Brazil on seven points in Group C, only to place second on goal difference.
Haiti led after 10 minutes through a move later recorded as a Yassine Bounou own goal, before Achraf Hakimi equalised in the 39th minute. Wilson Isidor then put Haiti back in front with a long-range finish, but Ismael Saibari quickly made it 2-2 with his third goal of the tournament.
The decisive shift came late. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi put Morocco ahead in the 78th minute after Haiti failed to deal with a corner, then set up 20-year-old Gessime Yassine for the fourth after a VAR check confirmed the goal.
For Morocco, the comeback showed resilience but also raised questions about defensive control before a knockout match against the Group F winners, with Japan, the Netherlands or Sweden listed as possible opponents. Haiti leave after three defeats, yet their performance and Johny Placide’s final international appearance gave their campaign a more dignified ending than the table alone would suggest.
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