Morocco overcome Haiti scare to confirm knockout berth

by MOHAMED EL KADIRI
CASABLANCA, (CAJ News) – MOROCCO have survived a scare at the hands of Haiti en route to securing a place in the knockout stage of the World Cup following a frenzied encounter at the Atlanta Stadium.

With the 4-2 win over the already-eliminated Haitians in the early hours of Thursday, the 2022 semi-finalists finished second in Group C on seven points, albeit with a goal difference inferior to Brazil’s.

For Haiti, they bow out with their heads held high after scoring their first goals of the tournament on their return to the competition after last participating in 1974.

The first goal of the encounter came in the tenth minute when Lenny Joseph forced an own goal from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

From that moment, a shock seemed on the cards as The Grenadiers matched Morocco pound for pound.

That was until captain Achraf Hakimi and Ayoub El Kaabi forced a double save from Johny Placide in the 29th minute.

The deserved equaliser came ten minutes later after Hakimi bundled the ball over the line following a spilled cross by Placide. It was his first-ever World Cup goal at the finals tournament.

The celebrations were short-lived for Morocco, however, as Wilson Isidor restored Haiti’s lead with a stunning strike that is among the goals of the tournament in the 43rd minute.

More drama followed as Ismael Saibari netted from the edge of the box to beat Placide before the half-time whistle, with Hakimi providing the assist.

The second half was end-to-end action and it was the Atlas Lions who eventually prevailed after Soufiane Rahimi fired in via a deflection in the 78th minute.

There was Video Assistant Referee (VAR) drama at the end, but Gessime Yassine’s effort was ruled valid, extending the Atlas Lions’ lead in stoppage time.

Brazil, 3-0 winners over Scotland in Miami, maintained their position at the top of the group.

Scotland retained third place.

– CAJ News