FIFA World Cup 2026: Morocco overcome spirited Haiti to advance

Morocco came from behind to defeat a dogged Haiti team in their final match of group play at FIFA World Cup 2026™. The Atlas Lions suffered a huge scare with Les Grenadiers twice taking the lead but they finished with a flourish to secure the victory.

Haiti came out playing free of pressure which created an action packed first half which thrilled fans with four goals. They opened the scoring just ten minutes into the match when full back Jean-Kevin Duverne cut the ball back across the penalty area, and Lenny Joseph gave it an audacious back heel flick.

The ball ricocheted in off Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou, but that did not take away from celebrations of what was Haiti’s first World Cup goal in 52 years.

Haiti’s goal woke up the Atlas Lions, who pushed for an equaliser and after seeing several good chances saved by Johny Placide, finally found the back of the net through Achraf Hakimi. The marauding full back bundled the ball over the line after Placide had parried away a shot from Bilal El Khannouss.

Haiti took the lead once again moments later, this time through a truly world-class strike from Isidor. The Grenadier striker lashed home a screamer from distance that will live long in the history books.

But the flurry of goals didn’t stop there. In first-half stoppage time, Hakimi cutback for Saibari who sidefooted home to send the sides in level at half time.

After the break, Morocco slowly squeezed the Haitians until Soufiane Rahimi completed the comeback with just over ten minutes to play, firing home a deflected shot from a corner kick. Youngster Gessime Yassine added a fourth in the dying minutes to secure the victory.

Haiti’s bright finish caps off an exciting first appearance at the World Cup in over 50 years. With the win, Morocco finish second in Group C and will take on the winner of Group F in Monterrey on June 29. (FIFA)