Morocco stun Belgium to seal historic World Cup victory
FULL TIME: Belgium 0 Morocco 2
15:56 CET: An incredible display from Morocco has seen them topple Belgium, the third big shock of the tournament. They certainly deserved all three points as they capitalised when needed and defended resolutely throughout. Belgium will have to get a result against Croatia in their last game if they are to secure qualification to the knockout rounds. But, before then, questions will certainly need answering about their tactics and team selection as they once again struggled for rhythmn and any clear cut chances.
Read our full report from Amos Murphy to wrap up the game. Also, check out our match stats, which will not make for good viewing for Belgium fans.
Second Half
15:52 CET: THAT'S THE GAME! ABOUKHLAL SEALS THE WIN FOR MOROCCO! 2-0
Great play from Hakim Ziyech allows Zakaria Aboukhlal to rifle a finish past Courtois and seal the win for Morocco. On the balance of play they deserve this and it means Group F is wide open!
15:50 CET: Belgium looked bereft of ideas and have now conceded a corner. With five minutes of stoppage time to play, it feels unlikely they will get anything out of this game.
15:48 CET: Belgium have been in control for much of the game, but as our momentum graphic shows, they have been handled well by Morocco. With a few minutes left can they force one more golden chance?
15:46 CET: Lukaku barely involved so far as Morocco sit in their compact shape. It's going to take something special from the Belgians if they are going to get anything out of this game as time continues to tick.
15:42 CET: Ten minutes to go and Jan Vertonghen heads wide from a corner. It looks Belgium are playing a 4-2-4 and going more direct in search of a leveller.
15:40 CET: Lukaku comes on for Thomas Meunier, it feels like a big gamble to bring on a player who is not fit in a game that is not must win.
15:39 CET: Unsuprisingly, the Moroccan fans are on their feet and singing their hearts out in support of their team. On the pitch, Belgium are really rolling the dice, with Romelu Lukaku - not fully fit - poised to enter the fray.
15:36 CET: A double change straight after the goal from Roberto Martinez. It sees Leandro Trossard come on for Thorgen Hazarad and Charles De Keteleare replacing Michi Batshuayi.
15:33 CET: GOAL FOR MOROCCO!
15:30 CET: Zakaria Aboukhlal is readying himself to come on for Morocco. The forward replaces Sofiane Boufal, one of their brightest sparks today. He will come on and try and do something from a dangerous free-kick. Boufal is not happy with the decision sloping off miserably.
15:27 CET: Two changes for Morocco as Yahya Attiat-Allal and Abdelhamid Sabiri, both used subs against Croatia, come on for Achraf Hakimi and Selim Amallah.
15:25 CET: And Mertens nearly has an almost-instant impact, dodging two tackles before testing Munir, who is up to the task, palming away the shot to keep the scores level at 0-0.
15:20 CET: Andre Onana, on a booking, is also taken off for Youri Tielemans.
15:19 CET: It looks like we are about to get the first change of the game, as Belgium's Dries Mertens waits on the touchline for his appearance of the tournament. He replaces Eden Hazard, who has come off on the hour mark in both games of this World Cup.
15:16 CET: Sofiane Boufal, that was nearly amazing. He cuts inside two defenders at the edge of the box before trying to bend one past Courtois and the midfielder succeeds in doing so only to see the shot go the wrong side of the post. A good chance for Morocco gone to waste.
15:13 CET: Do we have an open game on our hands here? Both teams attack on the wings, stretching the play and it is only good defending which stops the danger.
15:10 CET: A good hit from Hakim Ziyech lifts the crowd, but Courtois deals with an awkwardly bouncing ball well. An even first few minutes to the second half. Hazard then stings the gloves of Munir with a right-footed effort that forces a Belgium corner.
15:08 CET: Both managers opted not to make any changes at the break.
15:05 CET: Morocco, who will be fuming over that late VAR check, get the second half under way. Perhaps that will be the scare needed to wake Belgium up in the second 45.
Half Time
14:52 CET: All the players head down the tunnel to catch their breath after that hectic climax to the first half. Here are the match stats, which would have looked a lot different had the goal stood.
14:50 CET: The referee goes to the monitor to check for an offside. Neither Romain Saiss or the other attacker touch the ball, but because they are active and both in play the flight of the ball means it passes over both their heads and Saiss is therefore offside. A hugely controversial decision, but probably the right one, to end a first half that needed some drama.
First Half
14:46 CET: MOROCCO TAKE A SHOCK LEAD! ZIYECH FROM A SET PLAY! OR DO THEY?
The ball is whipped in by Ziyech and the pace on the ball gives Courtois all sorts of problems. Wait a second, we have a VAR check for a potential offside.
14:42 CET: A few minutes to go in the first half and it has not been the best of watches. But the momentum of the game is certainly with Belgium as our Opta by StatsPerform graphic shows. Only once has Morocco taken even a bit of control in this game. Still goalless though.
14:39 CET: Another set piece for Belgium, and after some poor attempts throughout the first half, De Bruyne tries his luck from a tight angle and goes close, troubling Munir as he watches the ball settle onto the top of the net.
14:35 CET: Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi combine well down the right, but are unable to create anything before the Moroccans clear Belgium's sixth corner of the first half. The deliveries from set plays have been incredibly wasteful from the Red Devils.
14:32 CET: Fifteen minutes to go in the first half and it's still Belgium in control of the ball. They create space for Meunier to get a cross away, but the delivery is poor and easily scooped up by Munir.
14:28 CET: Some nice work from Morocco's Sofiane Boufal and Ziyech gives midfielder Selim Amallah the opportunity to get a shot away, but the volley is poor and has more chance of finding row z than the goal.
14:26 CET: As the now world-renowned viking clap rips around the stadium, it sums up the stop-start nature of this game so far. Morocco are resisting the Belgians well and their compact play is making it difficult for their opponents to find Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne in space.
14:22 CET: Morocco finally get their first shot away through Hakim Ziyech, but it is pretty speculative and sails over the bar - no trouble for Thibault Courtois, who has been a spectator so far.
14:19 CET: To underline Belgium's play, right centre half Thomas Meunier finds himself 20 yards from goal and with the ball at his feet. He get his shot on target but can only find Munir in the Morocco goal.
14:16 CET: Belgium have their eighth set play of the half, this time a free kick worked short for De Bruyne to strike, but the Moroccans get out well to stifle the danger.
14:13 CET: Another set play for the Belgians, and again Morocco clear, this time from the near post. The Europeans have had 82% possession so far and have camped inside Morocco's half.
14:10 CET: Romain Saiss brings down Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the box. It's crossing range for the midfielder, who has some big targets to aim for, but Morocco deal with it well and clear their lines.
14:07 CET: A couple of corners for the Belgians after that chance, but Morocco deal with it well enough.
14:05 CET: The stadium - as we have seen throughout this tournament - is not exactly full but the Morocco fans are making themselves heard, jumping around in unisonin the stands. But it's Belgium who go closest first - Thorgen Hazard threads a ball through to Michi Batshuayi, but Morocco's goalkeeper is out well to smother the shot.
14:03 CET: We may only be a few minutes into this encounter, but Belgium are playing a lot higher up the pitch than they did against Canada. They will hope for more from Eden Hazard today, he was very quiet in their World Cup opener.
14:00 CET: We are all set for the third game in Group F - a big day for Morocco, who need a result if they are to seriously believe in qualifying for the next stage of the World Cup. It's Belgium to get us going in red, Morocco are all in white.
Pre-match
13:54 CET: Now, for the anthems.
13:51 CET: Time to turn our attention to Al Thumama Stadium as Belgium's and Morocco's players are in the tunnel ready for the match in Group F.
13:34 CET: Just under 30 minutes to go until kick-off between Belgium and Morocco - the second of four games at the World Cup today. If you missed the first game between Japan and Costa Rica, you can catch up with our report now, and here are the match stats from a smash-and-grab win for the embattled Costa Ricans.
Team News
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku (29) was again left out of the starting line-up as he recovers from a hamstring injury but coach Roberto Martinez made three changes to his side for the World Cup Group F clash with Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.
Tall midfielder Amadou Onana (21) will start in the place of Youri Tielemans (25) having impressed off the bench in the 1-0 win over Canada, while Thorgan Hazard (29), brother of captain Eden, comes in for Yannick Carrasco (29). Right back Thomas Meunier (31) was preferred to Leander Dendoncker (27).
Morocco are unchanged from the 0-0 draw with Croatia as left back Noussair Mazraoui (25) has recovered from a hip injury sustained in that game.
Belgium will qualify for the last 16 with a victory and will hope for a much-improved performance compared to the win over Canada, which Martinez called "technically the worst" showing of his six years in charge.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Timothy Castagne, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Amadou Onana, Thorgan Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard (captain), Michy Batshuayi
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss (captain), Hakim Ziyech, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Soufiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri
Introduction
Despite taking all three points in their opening group game, there are plenty of question marks over Belgium, who were largely outplayed by Canada. They face another test from 14:00 CET as they face Morocco. The North Africans frustrated Croatia as the sides shared the spoils in a goalless draw, and they will be hoping they can take advantage of an under-par Belgium today.
We will bring you live commentary of the game right here, and you can also listen to our free audio commentary from 13:55 CET.