Morocco are through to the World Cup knockout stage after coming from behind twice to beat Haiti 4 to 2 on Thursday. The win in their final Group C match in Atlanta sends the Atlas Lions into the last 16 for only the third time in their history, after reaching the knockout stage in 1986 and 2022.
It was far from an easy night for Morocco.
Haiti went ahead after 10 minutes when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou accidentally put the ball into his own net. Captain Achraf Hakimi equalised in the 39th minute, but Haiti hit back just four minutes later through Wilson Isidore, whose long range strike made it 2 to 1.
Morocco responded again just before half time as Ismael Saibari scored in stoppage time to make it 2 to 2.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s changes made the difference after the break. Soufiane Rahimi put Morocco in front in the 78th minute after meeting a corner, before Yassine Jassim scored late on to seal a 4 to 2 victory.
In the other Group C game, Brazil beat Scotland 3 to 0 to finish top of the group. Brazil and Morocco both ended with seven points, but Brazil claimed first place on goal difference.
Morocco finished the group stage unbeaten after beating Scotland, drawing with Brazil and then defeating Haiti.
The result continues one of the best periods in Moroccan football history. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi final.
Morocco will now face the winners of Group F in the Round of 32, but their opponents are not yet known.
With one round of matches still to play, the Netherlands and Japan both have four points, while Sweden have three. Tunisia have already been knocked out.
The final Group F matches are Japan against Sweden and the Netherlands against Tunisia.
The Netherlands are the most likely opponents if they beat Tunisia or if Japan fail to get a better result. Japan can still finish top if they beat Sweden and the Netherlands drop points. Sweden also have a chance of finishing first if they beat Japan and the Netherlands fail to win.
The date, kick off time and venue for Morocco’s Round of 32 match will be confirmed after the final Group F games.
