A Clash erupted on the streets of Brussels on Friday night during the Belgium v Morocco World Cup game in Qatar.
Rampaging football fans threw fireworks, flipped cars, and lit scooters as police sprayed tear gas and water cannons.
In response to the rioting that broke out in the city during the game, which saw Belgium lose 0-2 in Qatar, over 100 riot police were dispatched.
In horrifying video, flames could be seen burning in the middle of the road, while angry fans could be seen shattering the windows of a red automobile and flipping it down the roadway.
Another video showed police advancing with water cannons as supporters threw fireworks and bricks at passing automobiles.
As football fans lit flares and cops sprayed tear gas, raising their shields, thick smoke filled the streets.
In other films, Moroccan supporters could be seen running down the street while sporting and waving flags.
One victim was injured when officers arrived, according to Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere.
Approximately 50 people reportedly attacked the Liege Droixhe police station at around 6.10 p.m. following the game, breaking windows and damaging police cars.
There are reports that the violent riots have even wrecked stores.
“Police moved in after one person suffered facial injuries,” said Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere.
Additionally, a street lamp collapsed under the weight of supporters standing atop it.
On Place de l’Yser, a bus shelter was also completely demolished. Twelve persons were detained and one was arrested by the police.
Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, denounced the violence and advised residents not to visit the city’s core. He claimed to have given the police orders to make arrests.
“I strongly condemn the incidents that occurred this afternoon,” he said.
“The police have already acted harshly. So I advise supporters not to come to the centre.
“The police are doing everything they can to maintain public order.”
In anticipation of additional violence, police have reportedly been sent to the Belgian capital’s Christmas market.
Around 500 supporters also started trouble in Rotterdam’s city center by hurling fireworks and glass at the police.
Around 500 football fans set off fireworks and set a car on fire near Mercatorplein in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, prompting the deployment of riot police to the area.
Before the start of the game on Sunday, fireworks were thrown close to Brussels-South railway station, heightening tensions.
What started the riots is still unknown as investigations are still on.
“Around 7pm calm returned and preventive patrols remain in place in the sectors concerned,” police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere said.
“The rioters used pyrotechnic material, projectiles, sticks, and set fire on the public highway,” the police said. “Also, a journalist was injured in the face by fireworks. It is for these reasons that it was decided to proceed with a police intervention, with the deployment of water cannon and the use of tear gas.”
Fans with Moroccan immigrant connections in several Belgian communities joyfully celebrated Morocco’s triumph, which was a significant upset at the World Cup in Qatar.
Approximately 500,000 people in Belgium, which has a population of more than 11.5 million, are of Moroccan ethnicity.
They comprise one of the largest Moroccan diasporas and the majority of the non-EU population in the nation.
When Morocco’s World Cup qualification celebrations turned violent in Brussels in 2017, more than 20 police officers were hurt.
As cars were set on fire and stores were looted, police used water cannons to subdue the rioters.
At the time, the riots were denounced by Belgium’s Interior Minister Jan Jambon as “unacceptable aggression in the center of Brussels.”
Morocco Stunned Belgium As The Win 2-0
The national team of Morocco overcame Belgium, the second-best team in the world per FIFA rankings, to win Group F of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Morocco, who squandered opportunities against Croatia in the opening World Cup game, demonstrated to the Belgian team how poised they can be while playing against a difficult opponent.
Ziyech, who was kicked off the Moroccan team earlier this year, helped Morocco become the second African nation to triumph in a game at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In the fifth minute of the game, Michy Batshuayi of Belgium had a chance to beat Yassine Bounou of Morocco, but Bounou palmed the ball away.
With four points after two games, Morocco currently leads the group; one point will be sufficient for them to advance to the next round of the World Cup.
