World Cup 2022: Belgium 0-2 Morocco – Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal seal late win

Morocco triggered the newest shock at a World Cup that has been filled with surprises by beating Belgium due to late targets by Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal.

However the entire Belgium aspect paid the worth for a ponderous efficiency, with Morocco capping a powerful second-half show when Aboukhlal fired Hakim Ziyech’s cutback into the roof of the web in stoppage time.

That sparked wild celebrations within the stands of Al Thumama Stadium from hundreds of Morocco followers, who had created a raucous ambiance from the beginning.

The outcome means Morocco transfer above Belgium to the highest of Group F on 4 factors, with Croatia and Canada assembly afterward Sunday (16:00 GMT kick-off).

Few surprises had appeared on the playing cards early on. After surviving a high-tempo and helter-skelter strategy from Canada – their first opponents in Group F – Belgium’s preliminary job this time was to interrupt down Morocco’s massed defence.

They managed it throughout the first 5 minutes, when Thorgan Hazard despatched Michy Batshuayi working clear, however he was denied by Munir Mohamedi, a late alternative within the Morocco purpose after Bono was taken ailing within the warm-up.

It appeared that might simply be the beginning of some sustained Belgium strain, however whereas they continued to dominate possession, additional clear-cut possibilities had been few and much between.

Roared on by their noisy followers, who had been bouncing throughout Al Thumama Stadium in nice numbers, Morocco comfortably stored them at bay and commenced to develop into the sport themselves.

They thought that they had taken the lead simply earlier than half-time when Ziyech’s free-kick eluded Courtois, however the video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed Romain Saiss was offside and deemed to be interfering with play after working throughout the Belgium goalkeeper’s line of sight.

Roberto Martinez’s aspect didn’t enhance after the break, solely managing photographs from distance from the ineffective Eden Hazard and substitute Dries Mertens.

Morocco, in the meantime, had been changing into as energetic as their supporters within the stands and went near taking the lead when Sofiane Boufal minimize in from the left and despatched a shot bouncing huge.

They stored coming ahead and received their reward when Sabiri’s intelligent free-kick discovered Courtois dozing at a set-piece once more. This time, there was to be no VAR reprieve to save lots of him.

The closest Belgium got here to an equaliser was when Jan Vertonghen headed huge, earlier than Aboukhlal made positive of a surprising victory by ending off a swift break.

Belgium made to look second finest

Belgium’s stuttering win over Canada of their opening recreation means their path to the final 16 remains to be open, albeit much less easy than was anticipated.

However this was one other reminder that the technology of gamers that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup 4 years in the past are nearing the top of the highway.

They had been disjointed going ahead, with Batshuayi ineffective in assault and Romelu Lukaku solely match sufficient for a cameo look within the closing moments.

Even Manchester Metropolis star Kevin de Bruyne was unable so as to add any inspiration in midfield and, on the again, veteran pair Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld had been left petrified by the tempo of Morocco’s assault when their aspect had been chasing the sport.

They regarded nothing like a aspect supposedly ranked quantity two on the earth and had been made to look second finest by Morocco, who sit 20 locations decrease.

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