Morocco rallies from behind twice to beat Haiti 4-2 at World Cup

Morocco secured their spot in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Haiti on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, finishing as Group C runners-up behind Brazil.

A Thrilling First Half

Haiti stunned Morocco after just 10 minutes when Lenny Joseph's flick from a Danley Jean Jacques cross went in off goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, credited as an own goal — Haiti's first World Cup goal in over 50 years. Morocco goalkeeper Bounou's counterpart Johny Placide made a double save from Achraf Hakimi and Ayoub El Kaabi, but Hakimi equalized in the 38th minute, bundling in after Placide palmed a cross across the goal.RTÉ+1

Haiti restored their lead just four minutes later through Sunderland's Wilson Isidor, who found the top corner from 25 yards. Morocco refused to buckle, and Ismael Saibari leveled again before halftime with a strike from outside the box after a Hakimi cutback.Sky Sports+2

Substitutes Seal the Win

The second half saw Morocco take control. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi's deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco ahead for the first time, his smart first touch from a corner allowing him to fire into the top corner via a deflection off Haiti defender Ricardo Ade. Gessime Yassine, also introduced from the bench, added a fourth in the 89th minute to kill off any hopes of a Haiti comeback.ESPN+2

Group C Finale

The result saw Morocco finish level on seven points with Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 in the other Group C match, but the Atlas Lions settled for second place on goal difference. Morocco will face the winners of Group F — where Japan, the Netherlands, and Sweden remain in contention — in the Round of 32.India Today+2

For Haiti, appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, the tournament ends without a point but with the memory of scoring their first World Cup goals since 1974 and pushing one of the tournament favorites to the brink.ESPN+1