Morocco came back from behind twice in Wednesday’s match to seal qualification with a 4-2 win. fifa world cup 32 rounds.Substitutes Sufian Rahimi and Qassim Yassin played crucial roles late in the game, scoring the decisive goals as Morocco ended Haiti’s hopes of picking up a first point at this World Cup.
Haiti makes history with early breakthrough
Playing in only their second World Cup and first since 1974, Haiti stunned the African champions in the 10th minute. Lenny Joseph collected the ball at the near post and deftly flicked the ball past goalkeeper Yassin Bounu.The goal was historic, making Joseph Haiti the first World Cup goalscorer since Emmanuel Sanon’s goal more than fifty years ago.
Hakimi responds but Haiti strikes again
Morocco controlled possession from behind and eventually equalized six minutes before half-time. Achraf Hakimi capitalized after Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placid failed to quite process Bilal El Canous’s deflected pass.Level scores didn’t last long. Just four minutes later, Wilson Isidor put Haiti back in front with a superb long-range strike into the top corner, leaving Bounou with no chance.
Xizhang’s level before halftime
There was another twist in the first half. In stoppage time, Ismail Sebari received a cross from Hakimi, rewriting the score to 2-2 and entering halftime.It was Sibari’s third goal of this World Cup, ensuring Morocco remained level after a difficult opening 45 minutes.
Second half substitute seals victory
Morocco ramped up the pressure after the break and eventually took control in the closing stages. Rashmi, who came on as a substitute, deflected a shot into the net in the 78th minute to give the team the lead.As Haiti struggled to equalize, Yassin ended the game with a goal in the 89th minute, completing the comeback and ensuring Morocco’s place in the knockout rounds.
Morocco advances, Haiti eliminated
The victory moved Morocco into second place in Group C, behind Brazil, who beat Scotland 3-0 in their other game in the group. Morocco will now face Group F runners-up – the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden – in Guadalajara.Despite the defeat, Haiti earned praise for pushing one of the tournament contenders all the way and nearly pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.After the game, midfielder Bilal El Canous admitted that Morocco were not at their best early on.“We lacked humility at times and paid the price for it. We didn’t fully commit to the match and we gave them confidence and let them grow into the game and score twice. At half-time the coach told us we needed to be more aggressive, win the second ball and bring more intensity to our attack.”
