Morocco, Haiti just gave us Atlanta’s most exciting World Cup match

Bedlam.

It was easy to understand their collective angst. After shutouts in group-stage matches against Scotland (1-0) and Brazli (3-0), Les Grenadiers scored a World Cup goal for the first time since their last appearance, in 1974.

Atlanta’s penultimate group-stage World Cup match proved to be its most exciting so far. Despite not having a shot at the next round, Haiti’s squad played like their World Cup hopes were still on the line. Morocco, their heavily favored opponents and ranked in FIFA’s top 10, countered with their brand of football resiliency.

Arguably Morocco’s most beloved footballer and captain, Achraf Hakimi, equalized in the 39th minute.

It was at this point, roughly five minutes later, that Haiti marksman Wilson Isidor must’ve thought, “Hold my drink,” and sent a screamer into the upper-90 from distance.

Just before halftime, Morocco’s leading scorer of this tournament, Ismael Saibari, brought his squad even at 2-2.

The Atlas Lions and Les Grenadiers battled in front of a packed house, too. Stadium officials announced attendance was at full capacity with 68,239 fans.

If you’re a Morocco fan or neutral supporter, the second half also delivered.

Goal No. 5 of the match came from Morocco midfielder Soufiane Rahimi, off a corner to put the Atlas Lions up 3-2.

In the 89th minute, a defensive lapse led to Gessime Yassine netting Morocco’s fourth goal, their highest-scoring output of the World Cup.

This was followed by an official review for offside. A collective silence fell over the crowd. After a VAR check, Yassine’s goal was upheld.

4-2, Morocco.

Despite the result, Haiti’s supporters still had reason to smile and look toward the future.

Levistene Vincent, 52, said that win or lose, the fact Haiti qualified for a World Cup was a victory. The West Palm Beach resident traveled to Atlanta after watching Haiti fall to Brazil in Philadelphia.

“After 52 years, we didn’t make it. This year, we make it. We are so proud of our players and the nation,” Vincent said. “So this is the first step and we’re going to keep going.

“One day, we’re going to make history.”

Mike Toussaint, 36, agreed. The Haitian supporter saw a team with fight, boding well for the future.

“I think with nothing to lose, we showed a lot of heart,” he said.

It’s a moment that Toussaint and his fellow supporters won’t soon forget.

“They brought the whole country out, even back in Haiti,” he said. “Everyone’s proud of our players and we’re just happy; we’re ecstatic.”

Reflecting on the World Cup and Wednesday’s match, Haiti’s Isido talked about pride. His grandfather witnessed Haiti’s last World Cup goal, in 1974, and had a prophecy.

“He told me I’ll be the next,” Isidor confessed. “Today I’m proud of it. I know he’s proud of me. I’m just so happy and I’m going to build on that.”

With the win, Morocco finishes second behind Brazil in Group C. Both Brazil and Morocco finished group play with seven points, but the former won the tiebreaker on goal differential.

On the minds of Morocco supporters was the semifinal run from 2022 in Qatar, and what lies ahead of them for this year’s tournament.

Morocco will play the winners of Group F in Guadalupe, Mexico, which means a potential date with Netherlands, Japan or Sweden next.

That’s was true for Aziz Idhamou, who came in town from Boston. The Moroccan was excited after Wednesday’s match.

“The energy was amazing. Haiti played a good game. But again, a win is a win,” Idhamou said. “We love the energy in Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium was amazing. Everyone treated us amazing.”

“We’re going to Mexico, baby! ”

Atlanta Stadium will host its final group-stage match on June 27 between DR Congo and Uzbekistan. After that, the Round of 32 will kick off on July 1 at noon.

Social media director Travis Lyles and video producer Jaide Timm-Garcia contributed to this report.