Morocco pulled off a shock 2-0 win over Belgium in World Cup Group F on Sunday as Abdelhamid Sabiri scored from an audaciously tight angle and fellow substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal added a second in stoppage time.
The defeat put Belgium’s World Cup hopes in jeopardise as they must beat Group F leader 2018 runners-up Croatia to progress to the round of 16 of the Qatar World Cup.
Roberto Martinez’s ageing side have reached at least the quarterfinals of each of the past four major tournaments.
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.
Meanwhile, Canada have been knocked out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Croatia on Sunday.
Alphonso Davies had given Canada a shock lead after just 68 seconds but a brace from Andrej Kramaric helped Croatia bounce back and go top of Group F ahead of their last pool stage match.
Kramaric added another with a well-taken strike on 70 minutes, and midfielder Lovro Majer netted Croatia’s fourth in added time to send Canada packing from the tournament.
The results means Canada remain without a point in Group F having lost both of their first two games.
Today’s matches
Cameroon v Serbia (11:00)
South Korea v Ghana (13:00)
Brazil v Switzerland (16:00)
Portugal v Uruguay (19:00)
Yesterday’s Results
Coasta Rica 1-0 Japan
Belgium 0-2 Morocco
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Spain 1-1 Germany
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