View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Morocco Secure Top Spot, Belgium Suffer Shock World Cup Exit

Morocco Secure Top Spot, Belgium Suffer Shock World Cup Exit

Belgium 0-0 Croatia

World number two Belgium have eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after failing to secure a victory over Croatia on Thursday evening.

The Red Devils made four changes from the loss to Morocco, with Leandro Trossard and Yannick Carrasco replacing Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi in the attack.

The Croats, meanwhile, were unchanged from the win over Canada and needed just a point to advance to the next round.

Croatia thought they had been awarded a penalty on 18 minutes when Carrasco had brought down Andrej Kramaric but a after review on the pitch-side monitor, the decision was overturned for an offside.

After struggling to find a breakthrough in the first half, Belgium coach threw on the nation's all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku for Mertins at the start of the second half.

Lukaku had two big chances to put Belgium ahead after hitting the upright with the goal at his mercy on the hour mark, before he nodded over from close range a few minutes later.

It was not to be Belgium's night, as Lukaku passed up a golden opportunity in second-half stoppage from six-yards out as the draw was enough to see Croatia clinch second spot.

Canada 1-2 Morocco

Morocco advanced to the round of 16 as Group F winners after defeating Canada 2-1 on Thursday evening.

Yassine Bounou was back in the Moroccan goal after pulling out of the game against Belgium, while Abdelhamid Sabiri replaced Selim Amallah in the midfield.

The Atlas Lions got the early breakthrough when Hakim Ziyech took advantage of a defensive mix-up before dinking the ball over goalkeeper Milan Borjan from around 30 yards out.

The Moroccans doubled their lead in the 23rd minute as Achraf Hakimi did well to play in En-Nesyri, who surged into the box before firing home with a low strike.

Canada were gifted a way back in to the encounter five minuets before the halftime break, with Morocco's Naif Aguerd turning Sam Adekugbe's cross into his own net.

Canada did push for an equaliser in the second half, but the Moroccans defended superbly and secured the win which took them into the round of 16.

Morocco became the first African nation since Nigeria in 1998 to top their group at the World Cup.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.   

Click here to register

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

BREAKING: Pirates & Sundowns Punished By CAF

Apr 17, 2025 08:22 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Mnqgithi's Gauteng Return On The Cards?

Apr 19, 2025 08:58 AM in Siyagobhoza

Rulani Sends CWC Message To Sundowns

Apr 21, 2025 01:26 PM in FIFA-Club-World-Cup

Spanish Strategist Emerges As Contender For Pirates

Apr 17, 2025 03:28 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Nabi Slams Chiefs: 'I Need Another Mentality' '

Apr 20, 2025 08:55 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Rulani Sends CWC Message To Sundowns

Apr 21, 2025 01:26 PM in FIFA-Club-World-Cup

Khune Moves On From Chiefs Promises?

Apr 20, 2025 10:51 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Fadlu's Simba Sink Stellies In Tanzania

Apr 20, 2025 05:02 PM in CAF-Confederation-Cup

Alger Coach & Players Punished For Bucs Scuffle

Apr 18, 2025 08:23 AM in African Football