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Morocco and Haiti Trade Goals in Wild 2-2 World Cup First Half

Ismael Saibari became the first African player to score in all three group games at a men's World Cup during the match in Atlanta.

Achraf Hakimi during Brazil v Morocco on 13 June 2026 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NY/NJ Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Achraf Hakimi during Brazil v Morocco on 13 June …      Achraf Hakimi    Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published June 25, 2026 at 1:31 AM PDT

Haiti scored twice and Morocco answered twice in a first half that produced some of the most dramatic football of the 2026 World Cup. The match in Atlanta was level at 2-2 at the break, with both sides trading leads in a span of 45 minutes that left observers searching for comparisons.

Haiti struck first after just ten minutes. Lenny Joseph pulled off a deft backheel finish to complete a team move, though the opener was eventually awarded as an own goal to Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The Atlas Lions responded quickly. Achraf Hakimi tapped in an equalizer to level the match at 1-1.

Haiti refused to stay level. Wilson Isidor struck what was immediately described as a goal-of-the-tournament contender, a thunderous effort that restored the underdog's lead. The strike was hit with such force that even a Morocco supporter in the crowd appeared impressed.

Morocco equalized again shortly after through Ismael Saibari. The goal made him the first African player ever to score in all three group games at a men's World Cup, according to Yahoo Sports. The achievement came in the same summer he completed a move to Bayern Munich.

The second half was still to come with the match locked at 2-2.

Achraf Hakimi à la fin du match Egypte-Maroc, tournoi masculin de football des Jeux olympiques de Paris 2024
Achraf Hakimi à la fin du match Egypte-Maroc, tou…      Achraf Hakimi    MFonzatti / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)