Morocco took a bold step towards the round of 16 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup today with a 2-0 win over Belgium.
The Atlas Lions shot up to the top of Group F after two second-half goals sealed the fully deserved victory over the team ranked No.2 in the world by FIFA.
Substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal struck late in the game to keep Morocco unbeaten in Qatar and take their tally to four points from two games.
It is the first time an African team would beat Belgium in the World Cup, although Morocco did defeat the Europeans in a friendly in 2008.
After a goalless first half in which the North Africans were the better side, they were duly rewarded after the break.
Sabiri produced a stunning free-kick in the 73rd minute which flew past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to break the deadlock.
Desperate to avoid disaster, Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez threw on a rash of substitutes, including a half-fit Romelu Lukaku, but it was Morocco who had the next goal.
The impressive Hakim Ziyech broke free and cut the ball back for Aboukhlal to finish with aplomb at the near post in the second minute of stoppage time as Belgium foundered.
It is Morocco’s third-ever World Cup victory and their first since France ’98, and it is probably their sweetest.
The North Africans will qualify for the round of 16 if they avoid defeat against Canada on Thursday.
