Morocco came from behind — twice — to defeat a fearless Haiti side 4-2 in a six-goal thriller at Atlanta Stadium on June 24, 2026. Achraf Hakimi levelled twice in the first half, before second-half substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine sealed the win. Wilson Isidor's stunning long-range strike for Haiti was a contender for goal of the tournament. The Atlas Lions now face Group F winners in the Round of 32.
Morocco Scorers
- Achraf Hakimi (39')
- Ismael Saibari (45+1')
- Soufiane Rahimi (78')
- Gessime Yassine (89')
Haiti Scorers
- Yassine Bounou OG (10')
- Wilson Isidor (43')
Match Summary: A Six-Goal Thriller in Atlanta
In one of the most entertaining group-stage matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Morocco edged past a spirited Haiti side 4-2 in front of a rocking crowd at Atlanta Stadium on June 24, 2026. The Atlas Lions, already assured of progression, needed a strong second-half showing to eventually pull away from a fearless Haitian outfit that had absolutely nothing to lose — and played like it.
The result sees Morocco finish second in Group C with seven points, level on points with group winners Brazil, but behind on goal difference. They now head to Estadio Monterrey, Mexico on June 30 to face the winners of Group F in the Round of 32.
First Half: Haiti Stun the World — Twice
Haiti's Miracle Opening: A Historic Own Goal (10')
Nothing about this match went to script. Haiti, already eliminated before a ball was kicked, came out playing without fear — and it showed almost immediately.
In just the 10th minute, full-back Jean-Kevin Duverne drove into the penalty area and cut the ball back dangerously. Lenny Joseph took it on his chest and unleashed an audacious backheel flick at the near post that left goalkeeper Yassine Bounou helpless. The ball clipped the keeper on its way in and was officially ruled as a Bounou own goal — but that barely dimmed Haiti's celebrations.
The significance of the moment was enormous: it was Haiti's first World Cup goal in 52 years, since Emmanuel Sanon stunned Italy at the 1974 tournament — their only previous World Cup appearance before this edition. The stadium, already buzzing with Haitian supporters waving their flags, erupted.
Morocco Level Through Hakimi (39')
Morocco responded as you would expect of a team ranked among Africa's elite. Wave after wave of attack followed Haiti's opener, with goalkeeper Johny Placide pulling off an outstanding double save to deny Hakimi and Ayoub El Kaabi around the half-hour mark.
However, Placide could not hold out forever. In the 39th minute, Bilal El Khannouss drove into the box and saw his shot parried — but Achraf Hakimi, arriving with his trademark timing, bundled the loose ball over the line. Morocco were level, and the natural order seemed about to be restored.
Wilson Isidor Scores a Thunderbolt (43')
Then came the moment that left everyone in Atlanta — and watching around the world — open-mouthed.
Just four minutes after Morocco's equalizer, Wilson Isidor picked up the ball some 25 yards from goal. With defenders backing off, the Sunderland striker took one touch to steady himself and unleashed a ferocious, dipping strike that flew into the top-left corner before Bounou could even move. It was, by any measure, a goal-of-the-tournament contender — a genuine world-class finish on the grandest stage, and it put Haiti 2-1 up.
Saibari Saves Morocco's Blushes (45+1')
Morocco refused to go in behind, and in the final breath of first-half stoppage time, they found their equalizer again. Achraf Hakimi cut back from the right flank and picked out Ismael Saibari, who sidefooted a composed finish past Placide. It was Saibari's third goal of the tournament. Somehow, after four extraordinary goals, the sides went in level at 2-2 at halftime.
Second Half: Morocco Find Their Gear
Rahimi Breaks the Deadlock (78')
The second half was a more controlled, professional affair by Moroccan standards. Head coach Walid Regragui made tactical adjustments at the break, asking his side to be more aggressive in the duels and to dominate second balls — and it worked.
Morocco gradually squeezed the life out of Haiti's resistance, and with just over ten minutes remaining, substitute Soufiane Rahimi completed the comeback. Getting on the end of a corner-kick delivery, Rahimi spun smartly and saw his shot take a deflection on its way into the net. Morocco led for the first time in the match: 3-2.
Yassine Seals It (89')
Young substitute Gessime Yassine added a polished fourth in the 89th minute to put the result beyond doubt, securing a 4-2 final scoreline that perhaps flattered the eventual victors given the drama of the first half. For Yassine, it was a debut international goal to remember, scored at a World Cup on one of football's biggest nights.
Haiti Exit with Their Heads Held High
While the result ended Haiti's campaign at zero points from three games, their performances — and particularly Wednesday's second-half fight — told a far richer story. Qualifying for their first World Cup in 52 years alone was a monumental achievement for Haitian football, and leaving with two goals, a stunning strike, and a memorable first half against one of Africa's best sides is something to celebrate.
Coach Sebastien Migne said after the match: "We came very close to making history in this World Cup. And even if we didn't win, we wanted to leave with our heads held high. And that's exactly what we've done."
Haiti also became the 45th nation to score a goal at the 2026 World Cup, a stat that underlines just how wide open this tournament has been.
Group C Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| 3 | 🏴 Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇭🇹 Haiti | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
Player of the Match: Achraf Hakimi
FIFA awarded Achraf Hakimi the Superior Player of the Match award — a fitting recognition for a performance that combined the best and worst of Morocco's night. The PSG full-back contributed a crucial goal, the assist for Saibari's equalizer, and was a constant threat down the right flank throughout.
Hakimi said after the game: "It was a tricky game, a difficult one. We didn't start well, but we changed our mindset and worked hard to get ourselves back into it. We managed to win thanks to the way we attacked."
What's Next for Morocco?
Morocco's reward for finishing second is a Round of 32 clash with the winners of Group F — a group featuring the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, with the outcome to be decided on June 25. The match is scheduled for June 30 at Estadio Monterrey, Mexico.
The Atlas Lions will need to be far more defensively disciplined if they hope to replicate or even exceed their extraordinary run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Against a Haiti side already eliminated, conceding twice and nearly falling behind to a third-place finish is a warning sign that cannot be ignored.
Key Stats from Morocco vs Haiti
| Stat | Morocco | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 2 |
| Shots | 18 | 9 |
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Corners | 8 | 2 |
| Player of the Match | Achraf Hakimi | – |
Match Quotes
"At times we lacked humility and paid the price for it. We weren't fully committed in the duels, we gave them confidence and allowed them to grow into the game and score twice." — Bilal El Khannouss, Morocco Midfielder
"It wasn't an easy game. We didn't start off well, but little by little we got into it, stepped up our game, and from there, I think we started playing the way we wanted to." — Yassine Bounou, Morocco Goalkeeper
"We came very close to making history in this World Cup. And even if we didn't win, we wanted to leave with our heads held high. And that's exactly what we've done." — Sebastien Migne, Haiti Head Coach
Final Verdict
Morocco got the job done, but this was far from the polished performance their fans had hoped for. Haiti, playing with the freedom of a team with nothing to lose, produced one of the standout performances of any eliminated side at the 2026 World Cup — capped by Wilson Isidor's sensational strike that will be replayed for years to come.
For the Atlas Lions, the six goals conceded in Group C (three to Brazil, two to Haiti) will be a concern ahead of the knockout rounds. They have the attacking talent, the experience, and the hunger to go deep in this tournament — but tightening the defense will be Regragui's top priority heading into the Round of 32.
Coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group C | Match 50
