Belgium vs Morocco 0-2: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

What a stunning few sets of results we have had already at this World Cup.

After beating the formidable Germans in their first outing, Japan ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 result against Costa Rica.

Morocco then did one better by taking down one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Are we in for a potential third consecutive upset as Canada and Croatia warm up? Well, you will only get that answer if you switch over to our live blog coverage of the match as we build up to the opening kick-off.

And while you are waiting, make sure to check out our detailed match report of the recently concluded Morocco-Belgium affair.

The World Cup of upsets:

🇧🇪 Belgium 0-2 Morocco 🇲🇦
🇩🇪 Germany 1-2 Japan 🇯🇵
🇦🇷 Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xzunsBUvkM

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 27, 2022

 

MOROCCAN MAYHEMMM!! @EnMaroc #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup #DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/uBFuBD0gjw

— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) November 27, 2022

1 – Belgium have scored one goal at the 2022 World Cup, only scoring fewer after two matches at the 1930 edition (0). They had scored eight goals at the same stage in 2018. Stunted. pic.twitter.com/U0OxrjWzWg

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 27, 2022

Limbs. 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/4hOeIL7NlB

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 27, 2022

The referee blows the final whistle, and Al Thumama bursts into jubilation as Morocco have beaten second-ranked Belgium to seal a 2-0 victory.

It really was a match of two halves as Belgium by all accounts dominated the first one before Morocco, most likely due to the late disallowed goal at the end of the first half, wrested back control.

They continued to threaten the Belgian end as the match wore on, and once Sabiri broke the deadlock, they began to believe more and more.

Belgium certainly helped their case by having no choice but to push higher up the pitch, which allowed Morocco even more space to make another penetrating run, which ultimately led to the death blow at the end from Aboukhlal.

 

 

It is Moroccan mayhem at Al Thumama!

Ziyech has been a constant nuisance for Belgium, and he makes a valuable assist as his run into the box leaves him pushed to the outside right.

He spots Aboukhlal lurking not too far from the near post. The forward receives it from Ziyech and shoots right into the top corner of the net to send the Moroccan fans into delirium.

90+3 mins: Belgium 0-2 Morocco

After Hamdallah’s surging run is deflected away for a left corner, Morocco take it quickly but are unable to make anything of it.

90+1 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

The fourth official has signalled five minutes of stoppage time. That leaves plenty of time for an exciting finish.

90 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Morocco have managed a few runs at the other end as a natural consequence of the higher lines Martinez is employing.

Belgium should be careful because another Moroccan goal would effectively end this match.

87 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Belgium are pushing higher up the pitch.

Morocco, who have not conceded a goal in over 10 hours of play, will want to keep that record intact as we wind down here at Al Thumama Stadium.

85 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Belgium win a corner on the right, and Mertens picks out the central defender, who glances the header just left of the goal.

83 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Meunier makes way for the Inter Milan striker as Belgium need a goal, and very quickly at that.

82 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Martinez is now fully in damage-control mode as he brings on attackers Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere for Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi.

79 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

You could sense it coming. The whole stadium could feel a goal was in the works. The red and green flag of Morocco is being waved everywhere.

Fans are jumping, hugs all around. It is their first goal in this tournament, and who can blame them for celebrating.

Morocco are ahead!

Soon after those substitutions are made, a corner is won on the left side. Sabiri, who was recently brought on, curls in a lovely attempt at the far post, which beats Courtois all ends up.

Morocco thoroughly deserve that one after very much being the more positive of the two sides this half.

73 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco

Morocco make two more changes: Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri off,  Zakaria Aboukhlal and Abderrazak Hamdallah on.

71 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco

Moroccan manager Walid Regragui decides he needs to respond in kind by making two substitutions of his own.

Abdelhamid Sabiri and Yahia Attiyat Allah are brought on in place of Selim Amallah and Achraf Hakimi.

68 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco

The forward, just five minutes or so after coming on, makes an impact as he shoots from outside the box, but the shot is blocked by El Kajoui.

Batshuayi receives the ball inside the box, but his attempt is deflected as the ball loops comfortably to the Moroccan goalkeeper for an easy save.

67 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco