As has been the case in the 26 games prior to kick-off, the two sides were level at the break, having played out a goalless first half. However, had it not been for a VAR call in added time of the first period, Belgium would’ve found themselves behind at the interval.
Hakim Ziyech’s left-footed cross-cum-shot found its way across the line, but Romain Saïss - who was in an offside position when the ball was played - had been adjudged to interfere with play. Yet more reprieve for a lacklustre Belgium side at the World Cup.
Aggrieved by the marginal offside call before the break, Morocco used the perceived injustice to take the game to Belgium and the African side were rewarded with 17 minutes to play.
Pretty much a carbon copy of the earlier disallowed goal, this time it was Abdelhamid Sabiri who delivered the whipped cross which Thibaut Courtois failed to keep out. No offside this time, much to the delight of the hoards of Morocco supporters inside the Al Thumama Stadium.
It’s 26 years since Belgium last lost a World Cup group stage, losing 1-0 to a Saeed Al-Owairan-inspired Saudi Arabia at the 1994 tournament.
A Middle Eastern nation themselves, it’s fitting their Arab counterparts in Morocco were the ones to end Belgium’s run of 13 unbeaten group stage matches, with Zakaria Aboukhlal’s 93rd-minute goal securing a famous three points for Morocco. Looping a right-footed shot into the roof of the net, the 22-year-old’s strike rubber-stamped a dominative performance from Regragui’s men.
Roberto Martínez’s side will now head into their grudge match with Croatia on Thursday knowing they’ll likely need a positive result to secure progression.
As for Morocco, the victory puts them in control of their own fate, with the Atlas Lions now on the brink of just their second knockout appearance in World Cup history.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
