Morocco restores Africa’s hope in the 2022 World Cup by defeating Belgium 2-0 in yet another unpredicted upset at the quadrennial football showpiece.
Morocco added Belgium to the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s piling list of big fish outdone by minnows following the Atlas Lions’ 2-0 shock win over the Red Devils.
Goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri (73′) and Zakaria Aboukhal (92′) cemented three points for gaffer Walid Redragui, who picks up his first World Cup win against none other than the world’s second-best ranked team.
Belgium’s well-equipped squad boasting the likes of Kevin Debruyne, Eden Hazard, and Romelu Lukaku among other renowned world-class players, couldn’t stop Morocco from seizing the night by playing simple, disciplined football.
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Sabiri’s freekick caught Thibaut Courtois off guard after he boldly decided to go for goal at an incredibly acute angle, with most assuming that Ziyech who stood on the opposite end, would take the kick.
Hakim Ziyech was a menace to Belgium from the onset, driving Morocco’s attack as Redragui exploited the wings and made good use of the Chelsea forward in doing so.
Aboukhal then came in from the bench to finish off a counterattack set up by on other than Ziyech, after Belgium was disposed of while pressing up high in search of an equaliser.
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Moroccan fans thought Ziyech had broken the deadlock when his superbly struck freekick fizzled in only to be ruled out following a VAR review that found Roman Sais a fraction offside and involved in play, despite not having touched the ball.
A last-minute change of goalkeeper had Munir Mohamedi coming in for Yassine Bounou, a choice that paid off with a clean sheet thanks to some outstanding saves.
Morocco tops Group F with four points from two games, while Belgium will be grateful to have picked up a point against Canada, who face Croatia later in Sunday’s match.
Morocco has now established itself as Africa’s favourite and is in line to be the first African team to make it past the group stage in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Belgium will have an uphill task when they come up against Croatia on December 1.
