Belgium, still as messy in the game, was punished and doubled in group F of the 2022 World Cup by Morocco. Uninhibited in the last quarter of an hour, the Moroccans won 2-0 and opened their way to qualifying in the round of 16.
Difficult 1-0 winners from Canada on Wednesday, the Red Devils hoped to pick up a second success in order to validate their ticket for the round of 16. But they paid dearly for a certain complacency, both in defense and in attack, against the brave and opportunistic Atlas Lions.
Morocco, which had been waiting for success in a World Cup finals since the 1998 edition, forced the decision in the 73rd minute on a success by Abdelhamid Sabiri. The midfielder of Sampdoria trapped Thibaut Courtois on a free kick returning to the near post, which no one deflected.
The Belgian defense, which had experienced a first free warning in stoppage time in the 1st period (Ziyech’s goal canceled for offside on an action similar to that of the 1-0), folded a second time in the 92nd . Zakaria Aboukhlal sealing the score on a counter, taking advantage of a perfect back pass from Ziyech.
Belgium back to the wall
With 3 points, Belgium find themselves in an unenviable position before challenging the Croatian vice-world champions on the last day of this pool. Walid Regragui’s Morocco, on the other hand, has everything to do well: a success against Canada on Thursday would ensure it a place in the round of 16, for the second time in its history after 1986.
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