In the second unexpected upset of the Cup, Morocco scored two goals in the last 20 minutes to beat Belgium at the Al-Thumama stadium in Al Thumama, Qatar.
From the start, Belgium looked to be having an off-game. Although they retained 67% of possession, they ended the game with only three shots on target, two of which came in the second half.
Morocco, however, was playing inspired. In the 47th minute, Hakim Ziyech scored off of a freekick from a weird angle right between the right side of the box and the sideline. However, VAR ruled it as a no-goal because there was a Moroccan player in an offsides position who interfered with the goalie’s line of sight.
This would not matter as in the 73rd minute from they had a freekick from the same weird angle, on the other side of the box, but closer to the corner flag. Abdelhamid Sabri would score in an identical fashion, kicking it over the wall and into the near right side of the goal, bouncing right under the diving Thibaut Courtois.
Morocco would shock Belgium again in the 92nd minute on a break-away, where Ziyech plays a pass back into the box to set up Zakaria Aboukhlal on the right corner of the six. Aboukhlal, also scored from a ridiculous angle, curling the ball up and around the defender, and into the right upper corner of the goal.
Morocco’s win now puts pressure on Belgium who will likely need to win their last game against Croatia if they want to advance.
Earlier today:
Costa Rica bounce back from their 7-0 loss to Spain, with a 1-0 win over Japan today at the Al-Rayyan stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar.
After their embarrassing loss to Spain in their first game, Costa Rica was determined to make sure that was not repeated in today’s game. Japan still created more chances, but Costa Rica’s defense was able to manage.
Costa Rica got their win in the 81st minute when Keysher Fuller from just outside the box, decided to chip the keeper. Shūichi Gonda would misjudge the chip and only get his fingertips to the ball, pushing it up, but the ball would still drop into the goal.
Photo: Thibaut Courtois – Shutterstock – user: Anton_Ivanov – ID: 1253093239