Belgium vs Morocco: Morocco national team defeated Belgium the second best team in the World according to FIFA ranking in the 2022 FIFA World Cup to move to the top of Group F.
Morocco who were wasteful against Croatia in the first match of the World Cup, showed the Belgium team how composed they can be while playing against a tough team.
Ziyech who was banish from the Morocco side earlier this year made the Morocco side the second Africa team to win a match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Belgium had a chance with Michy Batshuayi looking to beat the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 5th minute of the match, but the goalkeeper palmed it away.
In the 19th minute, Morocco defender Selim Amallah was caught on the ball while trying to dribble past three Belgium players, which gave Thomas Meunier a shooting position, but the ball went straight to Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Hakim Ziyech, who had been silent on the right flank of the field, hit the ball from 25 yards in the 21st minute, and it went over the goal post with Thibaut Courtois not having a lot to do.
In the 28th minute, Sofiane Boufal got the better chance against Belgium’s Meunier and played the ball into his player, who hit the ball in an awkward way.
Amadou Onana was given a yellow card in the 30th minute of the match after a high elbow on Ounahi, which means that Onana will miss the next match.
Achraf Hakimi had all the chance to hit the ball on target in the 35th minute, but he failed to do so and it landed in the stands.
Belgium got a free kick in the 39th minute, and it was in the De Bryune area. The Manchester City star hit the ball ambitiously, but it went over the post.
Morocco shook Belgium in the 45th minute after a Hakim Ziyech free kick went past Courtois, but it was ruled out by VAR after Romain Saiss was ahead of everyone and made an attempt on the ball.
Ziyech had the chance to score in the 50th minute, but Courtois pulled off a good save from 20 yards. Eden Hazard got past Mazraoui and went for the near post, but the ball went wide as Belgium kept knocking on Morocco’s door.
Onana met the corner, and his header was over the goal post in the 52nd minute. Boufal went past Belgium defender Meunier, then hit the ball, which went past Courtois but was not on target.
Morocco has been on top of their game and controlled the midfield. Ziyech was tackled for 30 yards, but the loose ball got into the hands of Morocco’s Mazraoui, who hit the ball and it went wide.
Belgium manager Martinez had seen enough and quickly made the necessary changes, removing Belgium captain Hazard for Mertens and substituting Onana for Youri Tielemans in the 61st minute.
Mertens made an immediate impact when he was introduced in the second half and hit the ball on target, but the goalkeeper was there to save in the 65th minute.
A minute later, Belgium got another chance against Morocco; this came from Batshuayi, who had been quiet all the time.
In the 73rd minute, Morocco’s Sabiri scored a beautiful free kick from the left side; Saiss was also involved, but it was cleared for the North African side.
The second goal came in the 92nd minute for Morocco Aboukhlal, who received the ball from Non relentless Ziyech. The Belgian side had left a hole in the defense, and they will surely regret their action.
Morocco now sit on top of the group with four points from two matches; one point will be enough for them to qualify for the next round of the World Cup.