Morocco Overcome Early Own Goal to Beat Haiti 4-2 in World Cup Group C Opener

How it unfolded

Morocco started brightly but conceded a shock own goal in the 10th minute when goalkeeper Bono turned the ball into his own net. Haiti capitalized on that early gift to take an unexpected lead. Morocco responded with sustained pressure, and Achraf Hakimi leveled the score in the 39th minute with a well-taken strike. However, Haiti struck back quickly through Wilson Isidor in the 43rd minute to restore their advantage. Just before halftime, Ilias Saibari found the net for Morocco to make it 2-2, sending the teams into the break on level terms.

The decisive moments

The second half saw Morocco take complete control. Soufiane Rahimi put Morocco ahead for the first time in the 78th minute, converting a chance after sustained pressure. Haiti, who managed only one shot on target all match, struggled to create any response. Yassine added a fourth goal in the 89th minute to seal the victory. Morocco's dominance was reflected in the stats: they held 70% possession and registered 22 shots to Haiti's five.

What it means

Morocco start their World Cup campaign with a crucial three points in Group C. The win sets a positive tone, though the defensive lapses will need addressing. Haiti, despite showing resilience and scoring twice, were outclassed overall. They face an uphill battle to progress but can take heart from their attacking moments.