Morocco, Haiti Trade 4 Goals to Stay 2-2 at 61 Minutes

Q: Will Morocco’s unique coach mastermind a goal-fest against Haiti to snatch the top spot from Brazil?

Probably not. Morocco had a realistic path to top spot, but it depended on both a strong win over Haiti and Brazil dropping points against Scotland. Before kickoff, Brazil and Morocco were level on four points, with Brazil two goals better off on goal difference, so Morocco likely needed at least a multi-goal victory if Brazil drew, or help from Scotland if Brazil lost. The evidence did not strongly support a Morocco goal-fest. Mohamed Ouahbi’s rise is unusual and impressive — he came through youth coaching rather than a professional playing career and led Morocco’s U20s to a world title — but Morocco had not been prolific in this group. They drew 1-1 with Brazil and beat Scotland 1-0, scoring only twice in two matches. Analysis of the squad also suggested their attack lacked the depth of their midfield, with no proven elite finisher such as Youssef En-Nesyri in the squad. Haiti were vulnerable, having already lost 1-0 to Scotland and 3-0 to Brazil, so Morocco had a favorable opponent. But the available live-match information pointed away from an early rout, with the game reported at 0-0, and separate reporting indicated Haiti did score through Lenny Joseph. That alone suggests Morocco were not simply overwhelming Haiti. So while Ouahbi’s team had a chance to pressure Brazil, the more evidence-based expectation was that Morocco would qualify but finish second rather than produce the kind of emphatic win needed to seize first place.

Q: With their fans banned from attending, can Haiti find a moment of glory in their final World Cup match?

Yes. Even with Haiti already eliminated and many supporters unable to travel because of U.S. entry restrictions, their final Group C match against Morocco still offers a real chance for a meaningful World Cup moment. Haiti’s tournament has been difficult: a 1-0 loss to Scotland, then a 3-0 defeat to Brazil. But the context matters. This is only Haiti’s second World Cup appearance and their first since 1974, ending a 52-year absence. They have reached this stage despite playing away from home because of security problems and broader instability that has disrupted football in the country. Simply competing has already carried symbolic weight. A moment of glory does not have to mean qualification. For Haiti, it could be a first goal, a first point, or even just a defiant performance against a Morocco side that still has qualification and seeding at stake. Morocco cannot afford complacency, but that pressure can also create an opening for Haiti to produce a memorable spell or individual breakthrough. History shows how lasting such moments can be. Haiti’s most famous World Cup memory remains Emmanuel Sanon’s goal against Italy in 1974, scored in a match they still lost. A similar act against Morocco would resonate far beyond the result. So while the odds remain against them, Haiti can still leave this World Cup with pride. In a tournament shaped by adversity, one goal, one draw, or one inspired display would be enough to become a national sporting landmark.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24

61 minutes into Group C’s finale in Atlanta, Morocco were level at 2-2 with already-eliminated Haiti after twice coming from behind in a frantic first half.
Achraf Hakimi drove Morocco’s response with a goal and an assist, while Saibari scored the equalizer before halftime; Haiti’s Wilson Isidor put the underdogs back ahead with a standout strike.
The second half slowed after the four-goal burst, but Morocco kept pressing for a third, forcing a key save from Placide and seeing El Khannouss denied from distance.
Morocco still needed at least a draw—or a Scotland result elsewhere—to advance, while topping the group required a bigger margin with Brazil leading Scotland 2-0.