Morocco earn comeback win over Haiti to reach last 32 as group runners-up

ATLANTA, June 24 : Morocco confirmed their progress to the World Cup last 32 but twice had to come from behind to get the better of plucky Haiti 4-2 in an action-packed game on Wednesday and fell short of topping Brazil in the Group C standings.

Morocco finished level on seven points with the five-times world champions, who beat Scotland 3-0, but are runners-up on goal difference and will play the Group F winners, Japan, the Netherlands or Sweden, on Monday in the first knockout round.

Haiti, the first side eliminated from the 48-team tournament after losing their second group game, went ahead early but African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi equalised in the 39th minute.

Wilson Isidor’s thunderbolt restored Haiti’s lead in the 43rd minute but matters were soon level again as Ismael Saibari scored his third goal in as many World Cup appearances.

It took until the 78th minute for Morocco to go ahead when substitute Soufiane Rahimi thrashed home from close range after Haiti failed to clear a corner and 20-year-old Gessime Yassine made it 4-2 in the last minute.

Haiti had only pride to play for but made Morocco work for their victory and despite losing all three games at the tournament - their first in 52 years - will depart with their reputation enhanced.

VOCIFEROUS SUPPORT

With vociferous support willing them forward, Haiti opened the scoring after 10 minutes as Josue Casimir calmly shielded the ball, waiting for Jean-Kevin Duverne to support him on the wing and carry it into the box before a square pass was audaciously backheeled goalwards by Lenny Joseph.

FIFA initially awarded the goal to the Haiti striker even though his effort looked to be going wide, deflecting in off the back of Morocco goalkeeper Yacine Bounou, but