After the shock victory of Costa Rica towards Japan (1-0), the second day of the group stage continued with a conflict in group F between Belgium and Morocco. Missing inspiration towards Croatia (0-0), the Atlas Lions hoped to launch their World Cup and afford a giant blow. Reverse, the Pink Devils, Canada’s scorers (1-0), might, for his or her half, validate their ticket for the spherical of 16 within the occasion of additional success.
Aligned in 4-2-3-1, the Belgians shortly took management of the operations and Batshuayi requested, for the primary time, Mohamedi, changing Bounou absent on the final minute. Dominating, Roberto Martinez’s males fell, nonetheless, on a well-grouped Moroccan protection. Worse nonetheless, De Bruyne’s teammates had been near breaking simply earlier than the break. On a free kick, Ziyech deceived Courtois however the latter was lastly saved by the VAR for an offside place by Saïss, responsible of taking part in play (45 + 2nd). Clinging to the break, Belgium returned with the identical offensive intentions on coming back from the locker room and shortly signaled themselves on the garden of Al-Thumama. Writer of a pleasant quantity, Hazard as soon as once more put Mohamedi to work (52nd).
Morocco impresses, Belgium sinks!
Dominated, the Moroccans reacted in stride. Discovered on the left of the floor, Boufal rolled up however his ball grazed the quantity of Courtois (57th). A full of life match the place Mertens additionally went there along with his strike (sixty fifth) nevertheless it was in the end Morocco who took the benefit. On a brand new stopped section, Sabiri armed a strong shot on the close to put up… Hampered by the identical Saïss, Courtois let the ball slip underneath his arm (1-0, 73rd). Within the final quarter of an hour, the Pink Devils tried to come back again however Vertonghen, served by De Bruyne, couldn’t alter his head (82nd).
Though dominated within the sport, the Atlas Lions held their feat. On the very finish of the sport, Aboukhlal, profiting from a quantity from Ziyech, even doubled the wager (2-0, 90 + 2nd). With this convincing victory (2-0), Morocco is totally relaunched and takes the lead in group F earlier than the match between Croatia and Canada. Regardless of De Bruyne’s rant after the primary day, Belgium superior, for his or her half, to second place and located themselves in an uncomfortable place earlier than the ultimate confrontation towards Luka Modrić’s teammates.
The squad at kick-off
Belgium listing
11.59 million Belgians. 26 Devils. 1 purpose. 🏆 #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/wwCAMvlU6k
—Belgian Pink Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 10, 2022
The listing of Morocco
202
🚨Your squad listing is prepared for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022!#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #AtlasLions #TeamMorocco pic.twitter.com/IQOUBmlAP2
— Morocco group (@EnMaroc) November 10, 2022