Match report

Morocco Stuns Belgium with a 2–0 Victory at World Cup

Belgium
Belgium
0–2
FT
Morocco
Morocco
Nov 27, 2022

Morocco stunned the football world with a resounding 2-0 victory over Belgium in their crucial World Cup encounter. Despite being outplayed at times, Morocco capitalized on key moments to secure their first win of the tournament. A goal from Romain Saiss and another from Zakaria Aboukhlal late in the game sealed the deal for the African side.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Belgium 0–2 Morocco
  • • Goal scorers for Morocco: R. Saïss (73'), Z. Aboukhlal (90+2')
  • • Yellow cards for Belgium: A. Onana (28')
  • • Morocco had a goal cancelled by VAR in the 45th minute

Lineups

Belgium

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Courtois (G)
  • 15 T. Meunier (D)
  • 2 T. Alderweireld (D)
  • 5 J. Vertonghen (D)
  • 21 T. Castagne (D)
  • 18 A. Onana (M)
  • 6 A. Witsel (M)
  • 7 K. De Bruyne (M)
  • 10 E. Hazard (M)
  • 16 T. Hazard (M)
  • 23 M. Batshuayi (F)

Substitutes

  • 14 D. Mertens
  • 8 Y. Tielemans
  • 17 L. Trossard
  • 22 C. De Ketelaere
  • 9 R. Lukaku
  • 25 J. Doku
  • 20 H. Vanaken
  • 24 L. Openda
  • 11 Y. Carrasco
  • 13 K. Casteels
  • 26 Z. Debast
  • 4 W. Faes
  • 19 L. Dendoncker
  • 3 A. Theate
  • 12 S. Mignolet

Morocco

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 12 M. Mohamedi (G)
  • 2 A. Hakimi (D)
  • 5 N. Aguerd (D)
  • 6 R. Saïss (D)
  • 3 N. Mazraoui (D)
  • 8 A. Ounahi (M)
  • 4 S. Amrabat (M)
  • 15 S. Amallah (M)
  • 7 H. Ziyech (F)
  • 19 Y. En-Nesyri (F)
  • 17 S. Boufal (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 Y. Attiat-Allah
  • 11 A. Sabiri
  • 14 Z. Aboukhlal
  • 9 A. Hamdallah
  • 18 J. El Yamiq
  • 23 B. El Khannouss
  • 20 A. Dari
  • 22 A. Tagnaouti
  • 24 B. Benoun
  • 10 A. Zaroury
  • 21 W. Cheddira
  • 26 Y. Jabrane
  • 13 I. Chair
  • 16 A. Ezzalzouli

Timeline

  1. Belgium
    28' Belgium Card · Yellow Card
    A. Onana

    Foul

  2. Morocco
    45'+3 Morocco Var · Goal cancelled
    Hakim Ziyech
  3. Belgium
    60' Belgium subst · Substitution 1
    Off: E. Hazard · On: Dries Mertens
  4. Belgium
    60' Belgium subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Onana · On: Y. Tielemans
  5. Morocco
    67' Morocco subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Amallah · On: Yahia Attiyat Allah
  6. Morocco
    68' Morocco subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Achraf Hakimi · On: A. Sabiri
  7. Morocco
    73' Morocco subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Boufal · On: Z. Aboukhlal
  8. Morocco
    73' Morocco subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Y. En Nesyri · On: A. Hamed-Allah
  9. Morocco
    73' Morocco Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Saïss · Assist: A. Sabiri
  10. Belgium
    75' Belgium subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Hazard · On: L. Trossard
  11. Belgium
    75' Belgium subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Batshuayi · On: C. De Ketelaere
  12. Morocco
    78' Morocco subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Azzedine Ounahi · On: J. El Yamiq
  13. Belgium
    81' Belgium subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Meunier · On: R. Lukaku
  14. Morocco
    90'+2 Morocco Goal · Normal Goal
    Z. Aboukhlal · Assist: Hakim Ziyech
  15. Morocco
    90'+5 Morocco Card · Yellow Card
    A. Sabiri

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Belgium Morocco
Fouls 10 14
Pass Accuracy 88% 84%
Offsides 3 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 10
Corners 9 1
Total Passes 652 328
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 2 0
Shots on Target 3 4
Shots off Target 5 6
Possession 67% 33%
Accurate Passes 577 274
Shots Inside Box 5 6
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The match turned when Morocco scored their first goal through Romain Saiss in the 73rd minute, which boosted their morale and tightened their defensive structure.
  • ▸ Morocco secured their win with a second goal from Zakaria Aboukhlal just before the end of injury time, putting an end to any hope of a Belgium comeback.