Morocco survive a Haiti scare to reach the last 32

Morocco needed all of their resolve to see off a spirited Haiti in a remarkable 4-2 contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, twice falling behind before pulling clear to claim second place in Group C. The 2022 semi-finalists were pushed to the limit by opponents appearing at their first World Cup in over half a century, but a pair of substitutes, Soufiane Rahimi and Yassine, turned the game in the final quarter. With an expected-goals advantage of 3.26 to 0.66, Morocco's dominance was clear even as Haiti repeatedly threatened an upset.

It was a night that captured both Morocco's ceiling and their occasional vulnerability — but above all their refusal to lose. Few sides recover from going behind twice in a qualification-defining group game; Morocco did so with the composure of a team that has learned how to win on the big stage.

Six goals and two Haitian leads in Atlanta

Haiti made the brighter start and led when L. Joseph's inventive back-heel deflected into the net off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou — an own goal, but Haiti's first World Cup strike since 1974. Achraf Hakimi levelled in the 39th minute, forcing the ball home for 1-1. Haiti hit straight back: Isidor unleashed a stunning effort from outside the area into the top corner in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1, one of the goals of the tournament. Abde Saïbari restored parity on the stroke of half-time, finishing Hakimi's assist for 2-2. The decisive blows came late: Rahimi's deflected shot in the 78th minute edged Morocco ahead, and Yassine wrapped it up in the 89th, converting Rahimi's pass for 4-2.

Pedigree and depth carry Morocco through

For all the drama, this was ultimately a triumph of class and squad depth. Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, dug deep when tested and found match-winners on their bench, Rahimi and Yassine both scoring after being introduced. Hakimi, with a goal and an assist, led from the front. The xG figures — 3.26 to 0.66 — leave little doubt about the balance of play, even if Haiti's two goals, including Isidor's stunner, ensured a nervous evening. Haiti, for their part, return home with heads high: a first World Cup in 52 years brought two goals and a display of fearless attacking that troubled far higher-ranked opponents.

Runners-up Morocco set for a Group F test

Second place in Group C sends Morocco into a Round of 32 meeting with the runner-up from Group F, a section led by the Netherlands, while Brazil progress as group winners. Scotland finish third and must wait on the best-third-placed permutations, and Haiti, despite their bright contribution, are eliminated. Morocco's reward for their comeback is a continued run in a tournament where they have already proved their resilience and their strength in depth. Our forecast of over 2.5 goals landed comfortably, with six goals shared in a 4-2 thriller.