Morocco vs Haiti: Atlas Lions target Group C top spot in Atlanta as Saibari seeks third goal of the tournament
Morocco enter their final group stage match against eliminated Haiti with 4 points and a chance to top Group C ahead of Brazil. In-form Ismael Saibari — scorer of both Atlas Lions goals so far — leads a confident Moroccan attack at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Morocco
Haiti- 90'Yellow card: Josué Casimir (Haiti)
- 90'Final score: Morocco 4 - 2 Haiti
- 89'⚽ Goal for Morocco (Gessime Yassine)
- 83'Substitution: ↑ Frantzdy Pierrot / ↓ Lenny Joseph. (Haiti)
- 83'Substitution: ↑ Samir El Mourabet / ↓ Neil El Aynaoui. (Morocco)
- 83'Substitution: ↑ Noussair Mazraoui / ↓ Anass Salah-Eddine. (Morocco)
- 80'Substitution: ↑ Dominique Simon / ↓ Danley Jean Jacques. (Haiti)
- 80'Substitution: ↑ Carlens Arcus / ↓ Jean-Kévin Duverne. (Haiti)
- 80'Yellow card: Duckens Nazon (Haiti)
- 79'Yellow card: Johny Placide (Haiti)
- 78'⚽ Goal for Morocco (Soufiane Rahimi)
- 70'Substitution: ↑ Gessime Yassine / ↓ Ayoub El Kaabi. (Morocco)
- 70'Substitution: ↑ Azzedine Ounahi / ↓ Brahim Díaz. (Morocco)
- 70'Substitution: ↑ Soufiane Rahimi / ↓ Ismael Saibari. (Morocco)
- 67'Substitution: ↑ Louicius Deedson / ↓ Wilson Isidor. (Haiti)
- 67'Substitution: ↑ Duckens Nazon / ↓ Ruben Providence. (Haiti)
- 45'Second half begins
- 45'Half-time
- 45'⚽ Goal for Morocco (Ismael Saibari)
- 45'Half-time
- 43'⚽ Goal for Haiti (Wilson Isidor)
- 39'⚽ Goal for Morocco (Achraf Hakimi)
- 0'Kick-off
- 0'Kick-off
Morocco head into their final Group C fixture against already-eliminated Haiti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday evening, needing only a positive result to guarantee a place in the round of 32. But coach Mohamed Ouahbi's Atlas Lions want more than just qualification — they want first place.
With four points from two matches — the same as Brazil, who face Scotland simultaneously — Morocco know that victory against Haiti will clinch top spot in the group and potentially secure a more favourable path through the knockout rounds. A draw would likely suffice for qualification but would leave their fate partially in Brazil's hands.
Saibari: chasing his third goal in three games
No player has been more influential for Morocco in this World Cup than Ismael Saibari. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder scored the fastest goal of the entire tournament against Scotland — inside the opening two minutes — and then broke the deadlock against a formidable Brazil side in the 21st minute. Brahim Díaz provided the assist for both goals, cementing the PSG playmaker's role as Morocco's creative heartbeat.
Morocco's expected lineup: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Aguerd, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss; Díaz, El Kaabi, Abde.
Haiti: bowing out with dignity
Haiti arrive at this match already eliminated after defeats to Scotland (0-1) and Brazil (0-3), but their presence at a World Cup for the first time since 1974 remains a historic achievement for Caribbean football. Goalkeeper Johny Placide and creative midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde will aim to give their supporters — and the watching world — a performance to be proud of.
The match carries different meanings for each side. Morocco seek to assert their status as Africa's most dynamic team. Haiti seek a respectful farewell. Whatever the scoreline, the bigger picture is already written: the Atlas Lions are through, and Group C has been a fascinating chapter of this World Cup.
