Global EditionASIA 中文双语Français
Sports
Home / Sports / Soccer

Morocco stun Belgium for first World Cup win in 24 years

Xinhua | Updated: 2022-11-28 09:19
Share
Share - WeChat
Morocco's Abdelhamid Sabiri scores their first goal during a Group F match against Belgium at FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 27, 2022. [Photo/Agencies]

There was a whiff of sterile domination about Belgium's start to the game as they had over 70 percent of the ball possession, but Michy Batshuayi's chance is their only shot at goal through the first 20 minutes.

A cute, training ground free kick from Belgium ended with Kevin De Bruyne hitting a low shot from 25 yards that was blocked in the 16th minute.

One minute later, Amadou Onana beat Moroccan goalie El Kajoui to an inswing corner, but the Everton midfielder headed the ball high over the bar.

Onana was booked in the 29th minute for leading with the elbow against Azzedine Ounahi. He will miss Belgium's final group game against Croatia.

Morocco's goal in additional time of the first half from Ziyech's free kick at the right of box was ruled out for offside after the VAR check.

Saiss was in an offside position and his presence was one of the main reasons Courtois fumbled Ziyech's free kick into the net.

Morocco's best opportunity in the first half came in the 35th minute as Achraf Hakimi ran onto to a lofted pass down the inside-right channel, away from Thorgan Hazard. He moved into the area, realized he had little support and spanked a half-volley high and wide of the near post.

The game was livening up for Morocco in the second half. Sofiane Boufal controled Ziyech's cross-field pass on chest, shimmied away from Thomas Meunier on the left edge of the area and shaped a curling shot that bounced just wide of the far post in the 56th minute.

Belgium had a double substitution in 60th minute with Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens replacing Amadou Onana and the ineffective Eden Hazard respectively, but that would not change the awkward situation through the second half for the Red Devils, which were listed in second place in FIFA world rankings.

Morocco will meet Canada and Belgium are to take on Croatia on Thursday in the last group fixture.

|<< Previous 1 2   

Most Popular

Highlights

What's Hot
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US