Morocco survive a Haiti scare: Atlas Lions win a six-goal thriller to reach the last 32

Morocco came from behind twice to beat a brave Haiti 4-2 in Atlanta and qualify for the World Cup knockouts, substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine settling a chaotic six-goal game. Morocco go through second in Group C behind Brazil; Haiti are eliminated.

Morocco are through, but Haiti made them sweat for it. The Atlas Lions came from behind twice to win a chaotic six-goal thriller 4-2 in Atlanta, sealing second place in Group C and a spot in the last 32. For an hour, one of Africa's strongest sides was in a genuine scrap.

Haiti started like a team with nothing to lose. On ten minutes a clever Lenny Joseph backheel deflected in off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for an own goal, and the underdogs were ahead.

Morocco hit back through their captain. Achraf Hakimi levelled on thirty-nine minutes, only for Haiti to respond at once. Four minutes later Wilson Isidor unleashed a stunning strike from thirty-one yards to restore the lead, a goal worthy of any stage.

Just as the half threatened to run away from the favourites, Ismael Saibari levelled again in first-half stoppage time, sending Morocco in at 2-2 with the momentum swinging back their way.

The second half belonged to the bench. Soufiane Rahimi headed Morocco in front from a corner on seventy-eight minutes, and youngster Gessime Yassine sealed it on eighty-nine, his goal given after a long and controversial VAR review. 4-2, and the scare was finally over.

Morocco dominated the underlying numbers, nineteen shots to seven and nearly seventy percent of the ball. Haiti's threat came in flashes, but those flashes very nearly cost the Atlas Lions dear.

Morocco finish second in Group C behind Brazil, who pipped them on goal difference, and march on after their draw with the Seleção. For Haiti there is pride in defeat but the end of the road, out of the tournament after a spirited campaign that opened with a loss to Brazil.

For Kenya and the continent, Morocco carry the flag. Since their run to the 2022 semi-finals the Atlas Lions have been Africa's standard-bearers, and a packed Nairobi screen willed them through a nervy night. Simba wa Atlas walitoka na ushindi, Afrika tunaendelea: the Atlas Lions came through with the win, and Africa marches on. Spare a thought too for Haiti, who gave everything. Our Africa round-one verdict backed Morocco to go deep, and they have reached the knockouts the hard way.