Morocco caused the latest shock at a World Cup that has been full of surprises by beating Belgium, thanks to late goals by Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Few surprises had seemed on the cards early on, but Belgium’s initial job this time was to break down Morocco’s massed defence. They managed it within the first five minutes, when Thorgan Hazard sent Michy Batshuayi running clear, but he was denied by Munir Mohamedi, a late replacement in the Morocco goal after Bono was taken ill in the warm-up.
It seemed that would just be the start of some sustained Belgium pressure, but while they continued to dominate possession, further clear-cut chances were few and far between.
Roared on by their noisy fans, Morocco comfortably kept Belgium at bay and began to grow into the game themselves before half-time.
Roberto Martinez’s side did not improve after the break, only managing shots from distance from the ineffective Eden Hazard and substitute Dries Mertens.
Morocco, meanwhile, were becoming as lively as their supporters in the stands and kept coming forward and got their reward when Sabiri’s clever free-kick found Courtois dozing at a set-piece again. This time, there was to be no VAR reprieve to save him.
The closest Belgium came to an equaliser was when Jan Vertonghen headed wide, before Aboukhlal made sure of a stunning victory by finishing off a swift break.
Credit: bbc.com
