Morocco were made to work hard for their victory against Haiti in Atlanta on Wednesday, although it always looked like they would triumph in the end, even if they had to come from two goals down.
The 4-2 victory means they finished level on seven points with the five-time world champions Brazil, who beat Scotland 3-0 in Miami, but are runners-up in Group C on goal difference and will play the Group F winners— one of Japan, the Netherlands, or Sweden to be decided on Thursday— in Monterrey on Monday in the first knockout round.
Here are the player ratings for Morocco’s match against Haiti:
Yassine Bounou (7): There was nothing the veteran goalkeeper could do about the first Haiti goal, which was eventually credited as an own goal to him. Near the end of the game, he made a stunning one-handed stop to deny a rasping free kick from Duckens Nazon.
Achraf Hakimi (9): Close to a perfect game for the captain, whose running up the flanks was consistent and saw him make one goal after he had scored the first Moroccan goal himself.
Chadi Riad (7): Played the senior role at the back despite his inexperience in international football, but with former captain Romain Saiss now retired and Nayef Aguerd injured, he is the senior centre back and looked as much.
Redouane Halhal (7): A very impressive first World Cup outing in only his fourth cap, and he showed a strong work rate to repay the faith of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who preferred him to Issa Diop, who had looked shaky against Scotland.
Anass Salah Eddine (5): The left back got to play as Noussair Mazraoui was rested but was skinned for the first Haiti goal. To be fair, it was the only mistake he made but will be a blot on his copybook.
Sofyan Amrabat (7): The backbone of the 2022 squad that reached the World Cup semifinal long lost his place in the starting line-up, but with Ayyoub Bouaddi given a chance to rest, Amrabat was back and showed all of the class, intent, and work rate that made him such a star four years ago.
Bilal El Khannouss (8): A strong showing on the left of the midfield, setting up the first Morocco equaliser and constantly winning possession and making opportunities for his teammates.
Neil El Aynaoui (8): Extraordinary work rate and improving with each game as was witnessed at the Cup of Nations. He won a lot of second balls but missed on a few chances in the penalty area.
Brahim Diaz (7): He did a lot of running, including one track back from one half of the pitch to the other to help out in defence but he was disappointing in front of goal and had one easy chance before halftime that he squandered.
Ismael Saibari (8): Might have had more than the one goal in the game but did score to make it 2-2 before halftime with an excellent finish and now has now three goals in as many games at this World Cup.
Ayoub El Kaabi (7): The veteran striker is always a menace for opposing defences and although he was not on the score sheet played his part in an exciting game. This was his first outing of the tournament.
Sofiane Rahimi (8): Scored the winner with classic forward play eight minutes after coming on and then set up the last goal with his persistence.
Azzedine Ounahi (7): Kept up the intensity having been rested for the game, when he came on with 20 minutes to go for a tiring Diaz.
Gessime Yassine (8): The 20-year-old was playing only his fourth international, having come up from the Morocco side hat won the U-20 World Cup last year. His 89th minute goal came after a VAR check and brought great delight to all the team.
Samie El Mourabet, Noussair Mazraoui came on as substitutes but not for long enough to get a rating.
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