Morocco pulls off another World Cup upset, beats Belgium 2‑0

Morocco pulled off yet another World Cup shock on Sunday, and Belgium's aging "Golden Generation" took the hit this time.

The 2‐0 upset left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a group‐ stage exit at what is likely the final World Cup for a highly‐talented Belgian group that haven't managed to convert their promise into prizes.

It might now be too late.

De Bruyne didn't drive Belgium forward against Morocco, captain Eden Hazard was taken off after an hour, and goal‐ keeper Thibaut Courtois was probably at fault for the opening goal.

"We haven't seen the best Belgium yet," said Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has coached the country's national team for six years.

"We haven't been ourselves."

Belgium could have become the second team behind defending champion France to advance to the last 16 if it beat Morocco. It now has a final group game against 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia to avoid its earliest World Cup elimination since 1998.

Morocco substitute Abdelhamid Sabiri gave his team the lead by whipping in the free kick from a tight angle on the left in the 73rd minute that got under the body of Courtois — for many, the best goal‐ keeper in the world.

Zakaria Aboukhlal guided a shot into the roof of the net off a pass from Hakim Ziyech in stoppage time to make it 2‐0 as Belgium's defense, boasting more than 300 international appearances but an‐ chored by two players in their mid‐30s, was beaten by a speedy 22‐year‐old for‐ ward playing at his first World Cup.

Morocco's players kneeled and pressed their heads to the ground in prayer, then leapt up in celebration. Pulling himself up from the ground, Courtois just shook his head.

The second big upset at the first World Cup in the Middle East involved another Arabic nation.

Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in the opening set of group games.

Morocco, which was roared on by thun‐ derous noise from its fans at Al Thumama Stadium, had started in Qatar with a promising 0‐0 draw with Croatia.

"We are delighted with that after Croatia and Belgium," Morocco coach Walid Re‐ gragui said. "That's absolutely outstand‐ ing for Morocco."

Belgium, ranked No. 2 in the world be‐ hind Brazil, had won its last seven group games at the World Cup before the upset, but that included a labored 1‐0 win over Canada for the aging team to open the tournament.

Even De Bruyne said in a media inter‐ view before the World Cup that Belgium's squad was likely too old to win now.

"I don't think any comments will affect a result or a performance," Martinez said, dismissing the suggestion that De Bruyne's interview might have unsettled Belgium.

Morocco clinched its first win at a World Cup since 1998 and only its third ever and moved to four points in Group F.

Morocco has only ever been past the group stage once at a World Cup, in 1986. And things were in turmoil ahead of the tournament after former coach Vahid Halilhodzic was fired and Regragui was brought in at the end of August, less than three months before the World Cup. Re‐ gragui had only three friendlies to make his mark on the team before facing Croatia at the World Cup.

ZIYECH RECALLED

Regragui immediately recalled Ziyech, a Chelsea winger who was exiled from the team under Halilhodzic because of a rift between them. Ziyech curled in a disal‐ lowed free kick in the first half, set up the second goal, and was Morocco's best player against Belgium.

BELGIAN DESPERATION

Martinez brought on forward Romelu Lukaku, the country's record scorer, as a substitute with less than 10 minutes to go in a desperate attempt to get one back when it was 1‐0. Lukaku is only just re‐ turning from a left thigh problem and Bel‐ gium has missed him dearly. Martinez might be forced to start him against Croa‐ tia.

WHAT'S NEXT

The final group games are on Thursday, when Morocco will come back to Al Thu‐ mama Stadium to play Canada. Belgium will face Croatia at the same time.

Brussels sees riots after Morocco beats Belgium at World Cup

Police had to seal off parts of the center of Brussels, deploy water cannons and fire tear gas to disperse crowds following vio‐ lence during and after Morocco's 2‐0 upset win over Belgium at the World Cup.

Dozens of rioters overturned and torched a car, set electric scooters on fire and pelted cars with bricks. Police moved in after one person suffered facial injuries, said Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere.

Brussels mayor Philippe Close urged people to stay away from the city center and said authorities were doing their ut‐ most to keep order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be inter‐ rupted on police orders. There were also disturbances in the city of Antwerp.

Police in the neighboring Netherlands said violence erupted in the port city of Rotterdam, with riot officers attempting to break up a group of 500 soccer sup‐ porters who pelted police with fireworks and glass.

Media reported unrest in the capital Am‐ sterdam and The Hague.

Morocco's victory was a major upset at the World Cup and was enthusiastically celebrated by fans with Moroccan immi‐ grant roots in many Belgian cities.

It was not immediately clear how many people were detained during the distur‐ bances.