DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco pulled off yet one more World Cup shock on Sunday, and Belgium’s getting old “Golden Technology” took the hit this time.The two-0 upset left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a group-stage exit at what is probably going the ultimate World Cup for a highly-talented Belgian group that haven’t managed to transform their promise into prizes.It’d now be too late.De Bruyne didn’t drive Belgium ahead towards Morocco, captain Eden Hazard was taken off after an hour, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was most likely at fault for the opening purpose.“We haven’t seen the most effective Belgium but,” mentioned Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has coached the group for six years. “We haven’t been ourselves.”Belgium may have turn out to be the second group behind defending champion France to advance to the final 16 if it beat Morocco. However it dropped from first to 3rd in Group F and now performs towards 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia making an attempt to keep away from its earliest elimination since 1998.Morocco captain Romain Saiss gave his group the lead with a barely noticeable deflection off his hip after a free kick from Abdelhamid Sabiri within the 73rd minute that bought below the physique of Courtois — for a lot of, the most effective goalkeeper on the planet.Zakaria Aboukhlal guided a shot into the roof of the online off a cross from Hakim Ziyech in stoppage time to make it 2-0 as Belgium’s protection, boasting greater than 300 worldwide appearances however anchored by two gamers of their mid-30s, was overwhelmed by a speedy 22-year-old ahead taking part in at his first World Cup.Morocco’s gamers kneeled and pressed their heads to the bottom in prayer, then leapt up in celebration. Pulling himself up from the bottom, Courtois simply shook his head.The second large upset on the first World Cup within the Center East concerned one other Arabic nation. Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina within the opening set of group video games.Morocco, which was roared on by thunderous noise from its followers at Al Thumama Stadium, had began in Qatar with a promising 0-0 draw with Croatia.“We’re delighted with that after Croatia and Belgium,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui mentioned. “That’s completely excellent for Morocco.”Belgium, ranked No. 2 on the planet behind Brazil, had gained its final seven group video games on the World Cup earlier than the upset, however that included a labored 1-0 win over Canada to open this yr’s event.Even De Bruyne mentioned in a media interview earlier than the World Cup that Belgium’s squad was doubtless too outdated to win now.“I don’t suppose any feedback will have an effect on a outcome or a efficiency,” Martinez mentioned, dismissing the suggestion that De Bruyne’s interview might need unsettled Belgium.Morocco needed to make a change proper earlier than kickoff when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou felt unwell however the North Africans had been unaffected and clinched their first win at a World Cup since 1998 and solely their third ever. Morocco moved to 4 factors and Croatia can be on 4 factors after beating Canada later Sunday. Belgium has three factors and Canada has been eradicated.Morocco has solely ever been previous the group stage as soon as at a World Cup, in 1986. And issues had been in turmoil forward of the event after former coach Vahid Halilhodzic was fired and Regragui was introduced in on the finish of August, lower than three months earlier than the World Cup. Regragui had solely three friendlies to make his mark on the group earlier than going through Croatia on the World Cup.ZIYECH RECALLEDRegragui instantly recalled Ziyech, a Chelsea winger who was exiled from the group below Halilhodzic due to a rift between them. Ziyech curled in a disallowed free kick within the first half, arrange the second purpose, and was Morocco’s finest participant towards Belgium.BELGIAN DESPERATIONMartinez introduced on ahead Romelu Lukaku, the nation’s document scorer, as an alternative with lower than 10 minutes to go in a determined try and get one again when it was 1-0. Lukaku is just simply coming back from a left thigh downside and Belgium has missed him dearly. Martinez may be pressured to start out him towards Croatia.WHO SCORED?Sabiri was initially credited with the primary purpose from his free kick, however FIFA later amended the official match report to offer it to Saiss.WHAT’S NEXTThe last group video games are on Thursday, when Morocco will come again to Al Thumama Stadium to play Canada. Belgium will face Croatia on the similar time.___
Morocco pulls off one other World Cup upset, beats Belgium 2-0
