Atlas Lions rally past Haiti, secures knockout spot

Late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine ensured Morocco advanced to the World Cup last 32 with a 4-2 victory over a spirited Haiti side in Atlanta.

The triumph secured a second-place finish in Group C for the 2022 semi-finalists, who now prepare to face either the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden in the knockout stage. Despite the defeat, the Caribbean nation, ranked 83rd in the world, enjoyed a memorable performance by taking the lead twice and doubling their total goals tally in the history of the competition.

An early breakthrough arrived for Haiti in the 10th minute when Lenny Joseph's flicked finish deflected off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for an own goal, marking the nation's first World Cup goal in 52 years. Achraf Hakimi leveled for Morocco in the 39th minute, bundling the ball home after goalkeeper Johny Placide failed to cleanly stop a strike from Brahim Diaz.

Haiti restored their advantage just 2 minutes before the interval when Wilson Isidor fired a spectacular 25-yard strike into the top corner. However, Morocco responded in first-half stoppage time, with Ismael Saibari sweeping home an Achraf Hakimi pass to make it 2-2.

The African side capitalised on their attacking depth late in the second half. Soufiane Rahimi broke the deadlock in the 78th minute with an effort that deflected off defender Ricardo Ade to put Morocco ahead for the first time. Gessime Yassine then sealed the 4-2 win in the 89th minute, turning the ball home after Soufiane Rahimi kept it in play on the goal line.

-BBC