Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – The Moroccan forward, long criticized by sections of the national team fanbase despite years of success at club and Olympic level, delivered the decisive moment in the Atlas Lions’ dramatic 4-2 2026 FIFA World Cup victory over Haiti on Wednesday night.
With Morocco unexpectedly tied 2-2 late in the second half and qualification pressure beginning to rise, Mohamed Ouahbi turned to Rahimi off the bench. Eight minutes later, the Al-Ain star controlled a flick-on and fired Morocco ahead in the 78th minute before later assisting the fourth goal that sealed qualification to the round of 32 as runners-up.
After scoring, Rahimi collapsed to the pitch in tears before being mobbed by teammates.
In recent months, Rahimi had become one of Morocco’s most debated national team players. Critics questioned his impact in substitute appearances against Brazil and Scotland earlier in the tournament, while others kept revisiting his penalty miss in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Comoros.
Some online criticism even extended beyond football itself, with social media users accusing the forward of being overly aggressive during training sessions ahead of major fixtures.
Rahimi addressed that criticism after the match.
“There was some criticism and some things far from football, but thank God, Sofiane always responds on the pitch,” the forward said after the game. “I hope to continue giving more to Moroccan football. It’s not easy to earn your place in the Moroccan national team.”
His response came during one of Morocco’s most uncomfortable moments in the tournament so far.
Haiti, already eliminated before kickoff, pushed the Atlas Lions far harder than many expected. The Caribbean nation, appearing at its first World Cup since 1974, twice found the net against Morocco, scoring World Cup goals for the first time in 52 years.
Before the match, Haiti coach Sébastien Migné had insisted his players still wanted to make their supporters proud despite elimination. That mentality showed throughout the game as Haiti continued fighting until the final minutes.
Even Ouahbi admitted afterward that Haiti had surprised him.
That context only made Rahimi’s intervention more significant.
For years, the 30-year-old has repeatedly answered doubts with performances. From carrying Morocco to Olympic bronze in Paris with eight goals to becoming one of Asia’s most dominant forwards with Al-Ain, Rahimi has consistently delivered in decisive moments.
Against Haiti, he may have produced his most emotionally charged one yet.
