ATLAS LIONS
Late goals fom Sabiri and Aboukhlal help Morocco stun Belgium and take charge of Group F
Doha, Qatar - Morocco jeopardised Belgium’s World Cup hopes as Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal’s late goals secured a surprise 2-0 triumph in Doha on Sunday.
Belgium, third in Russia four years ago, could have qualified for the last 16 with victory but instead produced another insipid display after their fortunate opening win over Canada.
Substitute Sabiri was the hero thanks to a 73rd-minute free-kick which Thibaut Courtois allowed to bounce in at his near post, before
Aboukhlal grabbed a second in stoppage time.
The tens of thousands of Morocco supporters responded by cheering their team home at a raucous Al Thumama Stadium.
Morocco are level on points with Croatia at the top of Goup F and know they will qualify for the knockout phase for the first time since 1986 if they can avoid defeat against Canada on Thursday.
Belgium, the world’s secondranked side, will have to beat 2018 runners-up Croatia to be sure of going through.
Morocco were dealt a blow after the national anthems when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou appeared to gesture he would not be able to play. The experienced Munir El Kajoui was sent out in his place.
The Atlas Lions fans vastly outnumbered their Belgian counterparts and breathed a sigh of relief when the Europeans almost grabbed a fourth-minute lead.
Hazard played in Michy Batshuayi whose effort from a tight angle was kept out by Munir.
Belgium dominated the early exchanges but Morocco did manage a shot at goal when Hakim Ziyech fired over from distance.
Morocco gain confidence
The African side continued to grow into the contest and Selim Amallah, who was born in Belgium, volleyed into the stands before Achraf
Hakimi blazed a chance off target.
The crowd erupted in raucous celebration when Ziyech’s free-kick flew all the way into the net in firsthalf injury time.
But the goal was
ruled out
presentable
after a
VAR check, as
Romain Saiss was leaning just offside and the former Wolves defender was in ‘keeper Courtois’ eyeline.