Morocco missed out on winning Group C despite twice coming from behind to beat Haiti 4-2 as the Caribbean side said farewell to the World Cup in entertaining fashion.
The African champions were hoping to claim victory and finish above Brazil in the group, but they made a nightmare start as Haiti took a shock lead in the 10th minute through a Yassine Bounou own goal.
Morocco eventually levelled thanks to Achraf Hakimi, only for Wilson Isidor to restore Haiti’s advantage with one of the goals of the tournament.
But Ismael Saibari equalised just before half-time, and Morocco’s superiority eventually told as substitute Soufiane Rahimi completed the turnaround before teeing up Gessime Yassine for Morocco’s fourth, securing a scoreline that flattered them.
The win was not enough for top spot, which went to Brazil courtesy of their 3-0 win over Scotland.
Morocco will play the winners of Group F, likely the Netherlands, in the round of 32 in Guadalupe on June 29.
Morocco prevail after Haiti scare
With only pride to play for, Haiti started brightly and were rewarded Jean-Kevin Duverne’s cross was flicked home by Lenny Joseph, though the goal was later credited to Bounou.
Morocco predictably piled on the pressure in response, with Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide forced into a double save to thwart Hakimi and then Ayoub El Kaabi.
The leveller came as Hakimi bundled home from point-blank range after Placide could only parry a deflected effort from Bilal El Khannouss into his path, but parity did not last long.
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 corner with Bounou helpless.
Haiti’s joy at re-taking the lead was short-lived as Hakimi pulled back from the right for Ismael Saibari to confidently tuck home his third goal of the tournament.
Brahim Diaz went close to completing the turnaround before half-time, with only a stunning Placide save preventing El Khannouss from doing so just shy of the hour mark.
But Rahimi proved the the match-winner as he made it 3-2 in the 78th minute, finding the net with a deflected effort after Chadi Riad had flicked Hakimi’s near-post corner into his path.
Rahimi then showed the presence of mind to steal possession from a defender on the byline before it went out of play and square for Yassine to tap home a simple finish.
