Key Takeaways:
- Morocco sealed a 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta to claim second position in Group C
- Haiti equalled the World Cup record for most matches lost in succession, recording sixth consecutive defeat
- Achraf Hakimi made African football history by scoring in all three group stage games at this World Cup
First Half Drama: Early Setbacks and Rapid Responses
Already eliminated from the tournament, Haiti entered the fixture without the burden of pressure and soon caught Morocco off-guard. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde came close for the Haitians before a swift move saw Jean-Kévin Duverne deliver a cross that allowed Lenny Joseph’s audacious flick, the ball ricocheting in off Yassine Bounou to hand Haiti a surprise lead inside ten minutes.
Morocco responded to the shock, with Johny Placide keeping out Ayoub El Kaabi’s attempt and Ismael Saibari missing a close-range opportunity. Placide then produced an excellent double save to thwart both Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat as Morocco sought the equaliser.
Morocco come from behind to secure a place in the knockouts! 💪#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 25, 2026
Sustained Moroccan pressure finally produced dividends as Placide fumbled Bilal El Khannouss’ cross, and Hakimi made no mistake from point-blank range. Yet, Haiti struck back in style when Jean-Kévin Duverne pressed high, dispossessing Morocco to set up Wilson Isidor, who fired a long-range effort into the top corner, restoring Haiti’s advantage.
Momentum Shift: Morocco Respond and Set Records
Morocco’s resilience came to the fore just before the interval. Ismael Saibari expertly volleyed in after connecting with Hakimi’s cross, pulling his side level and ensuring Morocco remained unbeaten at half-time for the thirty-second consecutive match. Additionally, this achievement saw Hakimi become the first African player to score in all three group fixtures at a single World Cup tournament.
Second Half: Late Goals and Group Standings Decided
With first place in Group C on the line, Morocco maintained their attacking urgency after the break. El Khannouss forced another sharp save from Placide with a curling attempt from the edge of the area prior to the hour mark, and Haiti nearly conceded again as Ricardo Adé sent the ball just over his own crossbar under pressure.
The deadlock was eventually broken as Chadi Riad flicked on a corner to substitute Soufiane Rahimi, whose deflected shot found the top corner. The result was clinched in stoppage time when Rahimi kept the ball in play and squared for Gessime Yassine, who recorded his maiden senior international goal with an emphatic finish.
Morocco’s Run Continues, Haiti Exit Without a Point
This defeat means Haiti matched the record for most World Cup matches lost without earning a point, enduring six successive defeats. Their spirited performance in Atlanta was not enough for a result as they exited the tournament. In contrast, Morocco progressed from Group C in second place, extending their remarkable unbeaten streak to 32 matches in all competitions, comprising 27 victories and five draws.
