The Mt Kenya Times 
Atlas Lions twice come from behind in a breathless six-goal contest at Atlanta to advance as Group C runners-up
By Norman Mwale
Morocco twice came from behind in a breathless six-goal thriller to beat Haiti 4-2 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, securing their passage to the World Cup last 32 as Group C runners-up. The Atlas Lions were stunned in the 10th minute when Lenny Joseph backheeled a Jean-Kévin Duverne cross into the net, the ball deflecting off goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and credited as an own goal. Morocco responded with intent and levelled in the 39th minute when Bilal El Khannouss’ deflected shot fell to Achraf Hakimi, who turned in the rebound on the line to make it 1-1. Haiti refused to yield and surged back in front four minutes later through Wilson Isidor, who picked out the top-left corner with a stunning 25-yard drive in the 43rd minute. Parity was restored in first-half stoppage time when Ismael Saibari swept Hakimi’s cutback into the bottom-left corner to leave it 2-2 at the break.
The second half belonged to Morocco’s bench. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi provided the decisive moment, his effort deflecting into the top corner in the 78th minute to edge Morocco ahead for the first time at 3-2. Gessime Yassine then wrapped up the victory in clinical fashion in the 89th minute, making it 4-2 and sealing a contest that will live long in the memory of the 68,239 inside the stadium.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised his side’s resilience after what had been a genuine scare. “We were looking for first spot in the group, but Haiti had nothing to lose and played a good transition game, so it was not an easy match,” Ouahbi said. “It was a game where we put up very good statistics and created many chances. I am very happy with all the players. Morocco has entered a whole new dimension, and we actually need to believe we can take the title. The players believe in it, the same for the staff.”
Captain Hakimi, who both scored and assisted on the night, said the comeback reflected the character running through this squad. “We conceded early but we did not panic,” he said. “We know our quality and we showed character to respond twice in the first half. The substitutes made the difference and that is the strength of this team.”
Haiti manager Sébastien Migné was disappointed not to earn a first World Cup point but proud of his players’ courage throughout. “I’m disappointed from a result standpoint, but I didn’t feel as though the boys gave up,” Migné said. “Even after the third goal I was worried we would collapse, yet they kept fighting. They represented their country right. We showed we were worthy of this qualification.” Haiti captain Johny Placide, playing his final international, produced a string of saves — including a sensational double stop in the first half — before departing to warm applause in the 79th minute.
Morocco finish Group C on seven points, behind Brazil on goal difference, and face the Group F winners at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on Monday 29 June. Haiti exit without a point but with their first World Cup goals in 52 years and a performance that proved, emphatically, that they belong on the global stage.
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