Morocco secured their place in the World Cup last 32 after a 4-2 victory over Haiti in an action-packed match. Despite twice falling behind, Morocco ultimately overcame Haiti.
The match saw Haiti take an early lead, but Achraf Hakimi equalised for Morocco in the 39th minute. Haiti regained their lead shortly after with a goal from Wilson Isidor in the 43rd minute. However, Morocco quickly responded, with Ismael Saibari scoring his third goal in three World Cup appearances to level the score again.
It was not until the 78th minute that Morocco took the lead, with substitute Soufiane Rahimi finding the net. In the final minute of the game, Gessime Yassine sealed the victory for Morocco, making the score 4-2.
Morocco’s Group C Performance
Morocco finished level on seven points with Brazil in Group C, but ended as runners-up due to goal difference. Brazil secured the top spot after beating Scotland 3-0. As a result, Morocco will proceed to the first knockout round, where they are set to play the winners of Group F, which could be Japan, the Netherlands, or Sweden.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged the challenge posed by Haiti, stating, “We were looking for first spot in the group, but Haiti had nothing to lose and played a good transition game, so it was not an easy game for us.” He also expressed confidence in his team’s potential, adding, “Morocco has entered a whole new dimension, and we’re part of a new momentum where we actually need to believe we can take the title.”
Ouahbi emphasised the commitment required to achieve their objectives, noting, “We need to be 100% committed. Today, we have the best ingredients that are needed to become the best nation, and we believe we can do it; the players believe in it, the same for the staff.”
Haiti’s Tournament Journey
Haiti, despite losing all three of their group games, left the tournament with their reputation enhanced. Their manager, Sébastien Migné, commented, “We showed that we didn’t steal our spot here. We deserve to be here.” He also expressed a desire to have secured at least a point for their supporters, stating, “I hope that what we gave the fans was good enough for them. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a point, we would have loved to give at least a point to our fans.”
Haiti’s opening goal came in the 10th minute. Josué Casimir shielded the ball, allowing Jean-Kévin Duverne to advance it into the box, where Lenny Joseph executed a backheeled pass towards the goal. The effort deflected off Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, and was later recorded as an own goal.
Haiti’s goalkeeper, Johny Placide, who was playing his final international match after 15 years with the team, made several notable saves throughout the game. He denied Ayoub El Kaabi and Hakimi on multiple occasions. However, when he parried Bilal El Khannouss’s cross in the 39th minute, Hakimi was able to convert the rebound for Morocco’s first equaliser.
Duverne also set up Isidor for his powerful strike from outside the area, which restored Haiti’s lead. Morocco’s second equaliser came swiftly, with Sofyan Amrabat initiating a move that saw Hakimi pull the ball back for Saibari to score.
Morocco’s go-ahead goal in the 78th minute originated from a corner, with Rahimi scoring from close range after Haiti failed to clear the ball. The final goal came when Rahimi set up Yassine for a tap-in, a goal confirmed by the video assistant referee after Haiti’s defenders momentarily stopped playing, believing the ball had gone out of bounds.
Haiti’s goals, particularly Isidor’s strike, were a highlight of their campaign. The team’s performance in the tournament, their first in 52 years, demonstrated their determination despite their elimination before their final game of the group stage.
Source: theguardian.com
