Soufiane Rahimi's introduction as a second-half sub inspired Morocco to victory over Haiti in Atlanta. AFP
Soufiane Rahimi's introduction as a second-half sub inspired Morocco to victory over Haiti in Atlanta. AFP

World Cup 2026: Al Ain star Soufiane Rahimi sparks Morocco comeback victory as Vinicius shines in Brazil win


A goal and an assist by Al Ain forward Soufiane Rahimi helped Morocco to a come-from-behind victory against minnows Haiti to seal the Atlas Lions' place in the World Cup Round of 32.

Rahimi had only been on as a substitute eight minutes when he controlled a flick on from Chadi Riad and drilled home via the aid of a deflection off a Haitian defender.

He then capitalised on a mistake by Jean-Kevin Duverne to cross for fellow sub Gessime Yassine to slot home in the 89th minute to seal a 4-2 victory for Morocco.

Victory ensured second spot in Group C for Morocco behind Brazil, who swept aside Scotland 3-0 to finish on seven points and with a better goal difference than Morocco.

Morocco are set to face the winner of Group F, who could be either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden, in the Round of 32 on June 29 in Guadalupe, Mexico.

It was the second successive World Cup that Morocco have gone through the group phase unbeaten, following their historic run to the semi-finals at Qatar 2022.

"It was a tricky game, a difficult one. We didn't start well, but we changed our mindset and worked hard to get ourselves back into it," said Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.

"We managed to win thanks to the way we attacked. At half-time, the message was to stay focused on winning the second balls. We couldn't let them grow in confidence. We're proud of what we did, but now we need to recover well and get ourselves ready for what's next."

Haiti's Lenny Joseph, left, in action with Morocco's Ismael Saibari. Reuters
Haiti's Lenny Joseph, left, in action with Morocco's Ismael Saibari. Reuters

Haiti, who were already eliminated before the match kicked off in Atlanta, threatened a shock when they led through a Yassine Bounou own goal after only 10 minutes.

Duverne cut the ball back across the penalty area, and Lenny Joseph gave it an audacious back heel flick. The ball ricocheted in off Bounou to give Haiti their first goal of the 2026 finals and their first at any World Cup in 52 years.

Hakimi levelled when he bundled the ball over the line after Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placide could only parry a Bilal El Khannouss shot, but Wilson Isidor restored Haiti's lead with a thunderous strike from 25 yards just before the break.

Morocco went into half-time on level terms, though, when Ismael Saibari arrived in the box to finish a low Hakimi cross.

It was a third goal in as many games for Saibari, who is set to join German giants Bayern Munich after this tournament.

Midfielder El Khannouss admitted Morocco were guilty of underestimating their opponents in the first half.

"At times, we lacked humility and paid the price for it. We weren't fully committed in the duels, we gave them confidence and allowed them to grow into the game and score twice.

"At half-time, the coach told us we needed to be more aggressive, win the second balls and bring greater intensity to our attacking play."

Vinicius at the double as Brazil top group

Vinicius Jr scored his third and fourth goals of the tournament as Brazil cruised ​into ​the last 32 ​with a 3-0 victory over Scotland at ⁠Miami Gardens, Florida, to finish top of Group C.

The Real Madrid forward became the fifth Brazil player to score in all three games of a World Cup group stage, following in the footsteps of Jairzinho (1970), Romario (1994), and Ronaldo and Rivaldo (both 2002). On each occasion, Brazil went on to win the tournament.

With the brace, Vinicius ​pulled even with Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappe, and one behind Argentina's ⁠Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

Matheus Cunha added his third goal of the competition for Brazil as victory sealed the five-time world champions' 15th consecutive advancement from ​the group stage. They will face the runner-up from Group F.

The introduction of Neymar as a late substitute – the veteran forward appearing in his fourth successive World Cup – gave the vast Brazilian contingent in the crowd something else to celebrate too.

"We've achieved our first objective, but we have to keep going. It was a difficult group," said Brazil captain Marquinhos.

"Now the real competition begins. It's like the Champions League – there's no point finishing top of your group if you're not ready afterwards. The small details are going to make all the difference."

Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures

  • US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters
    US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters
  • Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters
    Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters
    Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters
  • England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP
    England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP
  • French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP
    French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP
  • England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
    England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP
  • Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP
    Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP
  • Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA
    Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA
  • Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters
    Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters
  • Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP
    Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP
  • France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP
    France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP
  • Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP
    Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP
  • Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP
    Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP
  • Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP
    Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP
  • France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA
    France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA
  • Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters
    Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters
  • Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images
    Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP
    Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP
  • Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP
    Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP
  • Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters
    Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters
  • Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters
    Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters
  • Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters
    Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters
  • Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP
    Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP
  • Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP
    Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP

Scotland, appearing at their first World Cup in 28 years, were already guaranteed to finish third in the group on three points following last week's win over Haiti.

But with a minus-three goal difference, it remains to be seen if that will be enough to secure them a place in the next round as one of the eight-best third-placed sides.

They fell behind after seven minutes when Vinicius capitalised on a horror mistake by Scots defender Scott McKenna and he added a second at the end of the first half before Cunha sealed victory just after the hour mark.

Steve Clarke admitted Brazil were well worth their victory and was pessimistic on Scotland's chances of remaining at the World Cup.

"You see their quality in the final third of the pitch, we didn't have that tonight. We created chances but it wasn't enough," said Clarke.

"Let's be honest, the best team won ... In the first four or five minutes, we passed the ball well and then made a mistake. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and it becomes a long night. For sure, I think we're going home."

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Updated: June 25, 2026, 10:25 AM