Abdelhamid Sabiri (73rd minute) from a free kick and Zakaria Abuchlal (92nd) ensured the decisive goals and indescribable joy among the Moroccans, who also acted more aggressively and enthusiastically than their opponents. Belgium, on the other hand, couldn’t convince in the second game either after the lucky 1-0 win over Canada in the opening game.
On the contrary: The “golden generation” around Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard actually seems to fulfill De Bruyne’s statement that the team is now “too old” for big titles. With three points, however, the ascent has not yet left. On Thursday (4:00 p.m.) Belgium will face runners-up Croatia in a showdown, while Morocco (four points) is hoping for a second win in the parallel game against Canada.
2: 0 to the Kreuzeck (90 + 2)
Zakaria Abuchlal brought victory for Morocco with his goal in the Kreuzeck.
Belgium is changing
Belgium went into the game with three changes in the starting XI. Team coach Roberto Martinez had newly nominated Thorgan Hazard, Thomas Meunier and Amadou Onana for the starting line-up. Yannick Carrasco, Leander Dendoncker and Youri Tielemans initially only sat on the bench for the trio.
Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku took a seat there again. The 29-year-old striker, who had missed most of the previous season due to a stubborn muscle injury, made his debut in the Red Devils squad at least at this World Cup. Lukaku is Belgium’s hope to give the side that fire and dynamism that has been visibly lacking until now.
Lack of penetration
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech was the first quick attacker, however, and Morocco indicated they were willing not only to play, but also to keep the favorites busy against Belgium. But the tide soon turned and after around 15 minutes of play, Belgium had 70 percent possession.
However, the teams neutralized each other on the field. A possible danger for the goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Munir El Kajoui only arose from standard situations, but here too both teams acted too little. Both Belgium and Morocco lacked the necessary clout.
Morocco celebrates too early
When the battered Romelu Lukaku was already warming up on the touchline to remedy this deficiency in Belgium’s game, events overturned in the last minute of injury time in the first half. A Ziyech free-kick found its way from the right past everyone and a stunned Courtois into the net.
1: 0 is denied (45 + 1)
Morocco’s free-kick goal is disallowed by VAR.
But Romain Saiss was offside the moment the ball was passed. He had his shoulder too far forward. Despite not touching the ball later, the Besiktas legionnaire still irritated Courtois. As a result, Ziyech and Co. shook their heads in disbelief. “It’s time for Belgium to set an example,” said ORF expert Helge Payer in the studio.
Belgium can be taken by surprise
However, the wish of the 20-time Austrian team goalkeeper did not come true. Austria’s opponents in the European Championship qualifiers that began in March couldn’t find a line in their game and didn’t pose any problems for Morocco that the North Africans couldn’t solve. Belgium looked like Argentina’s European equivalent.
Except that it was not Kevin de Bruyne or Eden Hazard who scored the redeeming goal for Belgium, but on the contrary, Morocco scored with a repeat of the offside free-kick to make it 1-0 (73rd minute). Sabiri fired from the left side of attack this time, Saiss charged towards goal again, this time not from offside but again not touching the ball and Courtois looked just as surprised as before. No Belgian player had covered the near corner.
Morocco like Belgium
Mexico referee Cesar Ramos didn’t object to the goal and it was the first goal from a direct free-kick at the World Cup. In the 81st minute the time had come: Lukaku came on for Thomas Meunier. A last glimmer of hope from the second in the world rankings, which did not come true.
Because Morocco finished in the style expected from Belgium. After a long tee shot in Belgium’s half and extended header Aksel Witsel couldn’t clear, Ziyech grabbed the ball, moved into the penalty area and served Toulouse Legionnaire Abuchlal in an exemplary manner, who netted powerfully to make it 2-0 (92nd) from close range. Belgium’s deserved defeat was sealed.
Comments on the game:
Amadou Onana: (Belgium midfielder) “Today we had the chance to qualify for the round of 16. But that’s football, that’s life. We’re all professionals, we’re going to analyze that now. And then the preparation for the Croatia game begins.”
Noussair Mazraoui: (Morocco defender) “The game was amazing. We won as a team, defended as a team, fought as a team. This is a good day for all Moroccans around the world.”
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group F, second matchday
Sunday:
Belgium – Morocco 0:2 (0:0)
Doha, Al Thumama Stadium, 43,738 spectators, SR Ramos (MEX)
Torfolge:
0:1 Sabiri (73.)
0:2 Aboukhlal (92.)
Belgium: Courtois – Meunier (81./Lukaku), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne – Onana (60./Tielemans), Witsel, T. Hazard (75./Trossard) – De Bruyne, Batshuayi (75./De Ketelaere), E. Hazard (60./Mertens)
Morocco: Munir – Hakimi (68./Attiat-Allah), Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui – Ounahi (78./El Yamiq), Amrabat, Amallah (68./Sabiri) – Ziyech, En-Nesyri (73./Hamdallah), Boufal (73./Abuchlal)
Yellow cards: Onana and Sabiri
The best: none or Ziyech, Boufal, Saiss
