Morocco World Cup Victory: International Press Analysis

Morocco won, but it did not totally reassure. This is the summary that emerges from many foreign media after the success of the Lions of the Atlas against Haiti, Wednesday in Atlanta. With this 4-2 victory, the Moroccans finish second in Group C, behind Brazil on goal difference, and continue their journey in the competition.

On Bladi.net : Morocco beats Haiti 4-2: Hakimi shines but defensive concerns loom

Reuters first insists on the match scenario. The agency recalls that Morocco had to come back twice against a Haitian team already eliminated, but very tenacious. The Lions of the Atlas were surprised by an own goal from Yassine Bounou, then by a spectacular strike from Wilson Isidor, before reversing the match thanks to Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine.

The international press thus highlights the paradox of this victory. Morocco confirmed its qualification and its status as an ambitious team, but it also showed signs of fragility. Reuters notably cites Achraf Hakimi, who acknowledged a "crazy match," while praising Haiti’s spirit. Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi also admitted that his team aimed for first place in the group, while recalling that Haiti played without pressure, with great freedom.

The Guardian mainly retains the Moroccan offensive awakening. The British media emphasizes that the attack of the Lions of the Atlas really came to life in the late first period and in the second half. Morocco finished with 22 shots, 11 on target, their best total of the tournament. Achraf Hakimi, author of a goal and an assist, was named man of the match.

In this reading, Hakimi appears as the great Moroccan face of the evening. The Guardian presents him as one of the most dangerous players of the match, with five shots and major influence in offensive play. His cross for Saibari, just before halftime, notably allowed Morocco to go into the dressing room at 2-2, when the match could have turned in Haiti’s favor.

Al Jazeera, which takes up the AFP account, speaks of a Morocco that "overcame the shock" of the two Haitian goals. The media insists on the fact that the Grenadiers led twice against the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists. Despite elimination, Haiti leaves with an enhanced image, after scoring their first World Cup goals in 52 years.

The Spanish view is close. Cadena SER evokes a match "compromised and demanding" for Morocco, saved by goals from Rahimi and Yassine after the initial scare. The Spanish media notes that the Lions of the Atlas entered the match with too much confidence against a supposedly inferior opponent, before being surprised by Haitian intensity.

In France, L’Équipe speaks of a "crazy match" and highlights a Hakimi "scorer and passer," in a very hot atmosphere in Atlanta. Le Parisien is more severe in emphasizing that Morocco had to battle to win. The daily newspaper retains a "heroic" Haitian team and Lions of the Atlas qualified, but not totally reassuring.

The Scottish Sun, for its part, watches the match with particular interest, since the result also concerned Group C calculations. The British tabloid believes Haiti won hearts despite the defeat. It insists on the atmosphere in the stadium, on the fervor of Haitian supporters and on Wilson Isidor’s goal, described as one of the great moments of the evening.

This overview shows that the Moroccan victory is respected, but rarely presented as smooth. Morocco did the job, showed mental resources and could count on a decisive bench. But the foreign press also retains the two goals conceded, the moments of wavering and the difficulty in controlling a liberated Haitian team.

On Bladi.net : Morocco World Cup qualification scenarios vs Haiti

The message is therefore double for the Lions of the Atlas. Their journey remains solid: draw against Brazil, victory against Scotland, then success against Haiti. But before the knockout stage, the international press reminds us that Morocco will need to gain control. At this level, a spectacular victory can suffice in the group stage. It can become more dangerous when the knockout matches begin.