Atlas Lions miss out on prime spot regardless of victory

Morocco missed out on profitable Group C regardless of twice coming from behind to beat Haiti 4-2 because the Caribbean aspect mentioned farewell to the World Cup in entertaining style.

The African champions have been hoping to say victory and end above Brazil within the group, however they made a nightmare begin as Haiti took a shock lead within the tenth minute by means of a Yassine Bounou personal objective.

Morocco ultimately levelled due to Achraf Hakimi, just for Wilson Isidor to revive Haiti’s benefit with one of many objectives of the event.

However Ismael Saibari equalised simply earlier than half-time, and Morocco’s superiority ultimately advised as substitute Soufiane Rahimi accomplished the turnaround earlier than teeing up Gessime Yassine for Morocco’s fourth, securing a scoreline that flattered them.

The win was not sufficient for prime spot, which went to Brazil courtesy of their 3-0 win over Scotland.

Morocco will play the winners of Group F, possible the Netherlands, within the spherical of 32 in Guadalupe on June 29.

Morocco prevail after Haiti scare

With solely delight to play for, Haiti began brightly and have been rewarded Jean-Kevin Duverne’s cross was flicked house by Lenny Joseph, although the objective was later credited to Bounou.

Morocco predictably piled on the strain in response, with Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide pressured right into a double save to thwart Hakimi after which Ayoub El Kaabi.

The leveller got here as Hakimi bundled house from point-blank vary after Placide might solely parry a deflected effort from Bilal El Khannouss into his path, however parity didn’t final lengthy.

Isidor ensured Haiti left the World Cup with a bang, the Sunderland striker restoring their lead with a ferocious long-range effort that flew into the top-left nook with Bounou helpless.

Haiti’s pleasure at re-taking the lead was short-lived as Hakimi pulled again from the correct for Ismael Saibari to confidently tuck house his third objective of the event.

Brahim Diaz went near finishing the turnaround earlier than half-time, with solely a shocking Placide save stopping El Khannouss from doing so simply shy of the hour mark.

However Rahimi proved the the match-winner as he made it 3-2 within the 78th minute, discovering the online with a deflected effort after Chadi Riad had flicked Hakimi’s near-post nook into his path.

Rahimi then confirmed the presence of thoughts to steal possession from a defender on the byline earlier than it went out of play and sq. for Yassine to faucet house a easy end.