World Cup Day 8 sees stunning win for Morocco, marks end of Canada's bid

Home > National >

Published: 28 Nov. 2022, 17:24 Updated: 28 Nov. 2022, 18:38

World Cup Day 8 sees stunning win for Morocco, marks end of Canada's bid

Morocco's Yahya Jabrane, top, celebrates with Abdelhamid Sabiri after Sabiri scored a goal during the World Cup Group F match between Belgium and Morocco, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Morocco stunned No. 2 Belgium with a 2-0 victory on Sunday and Canada became the second country to head home early after a 4-1 loss against Croatia on the eighth day of the World Cup.

With the 2-0 win over Belgium, Morocco is a step closer toward qualification for the round of 16.

Not only did they win the match against one of the strongest footballing nations in the world, they won after dominating. In the first half, Morocco found the back of the net with Hakim Ziyech scoring a late free kick, but it was eventually disallowed after being judged to be offside.

Sofiane Boufal of Morrocco almost broke the deadlock in the 57th minute but narrowly missed.

The Belgian headcoach Roberto Martinez Montoliu made two changes during the break, replacing Eden Hazard with Dries Mertens and bringing on Youri Tielemans for Amadou Onana in midfield.

Mertens tried a shot as soon as he came onto the pitch but was beaten away by Moroccan goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.

Morocco took the lead 28 minutes into the second half with substitute Abdelhamid Sabiri scoring from a free kick in the 73rd minute.

Desperate for an equalizer, Belgium ramped up the pressure but Morocco not only held on to the lead firmly but added another goal in injury time, with Zakria Aboukhlal beating the Belgian goalkeeper to double their lead.

For Moroccan fans who filled the Al Thumama Stadium for Sunday’s sell-out match it was a night to celebrate as it marked Morocco’s third win at a World Cup, and puts them on top of Group F.

Qatar will secure their spot in the round of 16 for only the second time in their history if they avoid defeat in their final game against Canada.

While with the loss, world No. 2 Belgium’s qualification to the knock out stage is in serious jeopardy. They will next face 2018 finalists Croatia in their final group game.

Canada's Alistair Johnston, right, and Croatia's Ivan Perisic challenge for the ball during the World Cup Group F match between Croatia and Canada, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

After Qatar became the first country to fail at advancing to the knock out round, Canada is now the second country who will head home after the group stage.

Despite taking a 4-1 loss against Croatia, Canada was able to write some history of their own as Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies scored the first World Cup goal ever in Canadian men's history.

Davies headed the ball past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic just seconds into the match and opened the scoring. It was also the fastest goal at the 2022 World Cup so far.

As Croatia pounded at the Canadian goal with 10 shots on target, Canada only had two shots on target.

In addition to Croatia and Morocco, Costa Rica was also able to add three points to the table after beating Japan 1-0, thanks to Keysher Fuller scoring just 10 minutes into the match.

With the loss, Japan missed out on an opportunity to secure their knock out round spot. The Samurai Blue are now left with a serious challenge to advance to the knock out round with Spain left as their final contenders in Group E.

The qualification for Group E is now down to the final matches especially after Spain and Germany got to add one point each after a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Neither team was able to score in the first half. Substitute Álvaro Morata gave Spain the lead in the 62nd minute and Niclas Füllkrug's late strike saved Germany, salvaging that one point to stay in contention.

For Germany to advance to the knock out stage, they will need a win over Costa Rica. In the case that Japan draws, Germany will need to have an upperhand in goal difference or hope that Spain defeats Japan.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]