Twitter reacts to Morocco's emphatic 2-0 win over Belgium at the World Cup
By Mitch Wilks
Goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal ensured Morocco claimed a sensational 2-0 victory over Belgium in Group F at the World Cup.
Having barely beaten Canada in their opening contest in Qatar, many expected an improved performance from Roberto Martinez's side who sit second in FIFA's world rankings.
Fans did not get that better showing and Morocco were ready and waiting to pounce. Before all that, though, they had to deal with a late change to their starting lineup, moments before kick-off.
๐ Bono was announced as the starter, he even sang the national anthem of Morocco.
โ Ronald Morgan (@ronaldmorgan_) November 27, 2022
We did not see any substitutions.
But Batshuayi's shot was saved by goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui. #MAR #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6bLonBG9Lk
To the confusion of many - including the BBC's commentary team - it was revealed at half-time that Yassine Bounou pulled out ahead of kick-off, citing some kind of problem with his eyes.
It's taken 37 minutes for BBC commentators to realise the Morroco goalkeeper Bounou went off before kickoff ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
โ ๐ผ๐โ๐ (@EuroExpert_) November 27, 2022
Munir Mohamedi had to step in for Yassine Bounou after the national anthems had been done, and he's been excellent so far today! ๐ช ๐งค pic.twitter.com/0MoUnF9PJF
โ 90min (@90min_Football) November 27, 2022
That should've been ammo in itself for Belgium, who desperately needed to silence doubters after a subpar performance against Canada. It didn't happen, though, and they were - frankly - played off the park.
The Atlas Lions had already put the ball in the back of the net on the cusp of half-time, thanks to a wonderful, whipped free-kick from Hakim Ziyech - the Chelsea outcast enjoyed another stellar outing.
Ziyech in every free kick for Morocco pic.twitter.com/tl9ZZOs49x
โ สษชแดษดแดส Pษชแดแดแดขแด๐ฎ๐น (@Picaz10) November 27, 2022
Unfortunately, Ziyech's crisp effort was rightly chalked off, but the warning signs were there.
Having been given a warning on the stroke of half-time, surely Belgium would perk up with the game locked at 0-0 and the clock ticking down, right? Right?
Belgium came out in this second half and played as though Steve Bruce gave them their half time team talk...
โ Holly Victoria (@Holly_VicUK) November 27, 2022
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Belgium might be the most fraudulently ranked & arguably the most overrated team in sports history.
โ ู (@utdrobbo) November 27, 2022
Apparently not.
Morocco took advantage of this, continuing to push forward and eventually getting their reward when Sabiri fired his country ahead after 73 minutes. Again, it was from a well-whipped free-kick towards the near post.
But while most of the eyes were on Belgium's shoddy defending of set pieces, one fan made a brilliant point.
Sabiri ex Huddersfield Town, we are massive we are everywhere
โ Nathan Flesher (@NathanFlesher_) November 27, 2022
Considering Aaron Mooy is pulling strings elsewhere for Australia, he isn't wrong. Those Terriers getting where water doesn't.
Roberto Martinez's side were now in hot water, which only got hotter as Ziyech found another level and helped Morocco to a crucial second in the game's dying embers.
The Chelsea winger showcased his fantastic footwork to keep Morocco in possession inside Belgium's penalty area, before switching a square ball back into the path of Aboukhlal who finished brilliantly on his World Cup debut.
Love the second Morocco goal. Fantastic feet and movement from Ziyech and a wonderful finish from Aboukhlal. #FifaWorldCup
โ Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) November 27, 2022
Goal or no goal, this is why Morocco ๐ฒ๐ฆ needs Hakim Ziyech in their World Cup squad.
โ Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) November 27, 2022
Top quality player who when given the chance, he rises to the occasion. pic.twitter.com/caWOTEChB1
But things could've been much different, had Walid Regragui not taken charge in September...
What a turn of events. Ziyech was left out in the cold under Morocco's previous coach Vahid Halilhodzic. New coach Walid Regragui brought him back into the squad and he's just played a vital role in Morocco's victory. ๐ฒ๐ฆ
โ DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) November 27, 2022
It's a funny old game.
Unless you're Belgium, or Roberto Martinez, that is. Then it's just a painful one.
Belgium ๐ค Spurs
โ Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) November 27, 2022
Golden generation achieving absolutely nothing.
Who would've thought that Roberto Martinez wasn't the man to get the best out of Belgium's golden generation?
โ Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 27, 2022
Putting Roberto Martinez in charge of this generation of Belgium players was like when Lenny took the power plant from Mr Burns
โ Ronan Mullen (@RonanReigns) November 27, 2022
A former Wigan and Everton manager failing to deliver on the world stage with an incredibly talented crop of players and immense pressure from just about every angle. Who would've thought?
Regardless of what criticism you can throw at Belgium, Morocco deserve just as much credit. They ousted the second best team in the world - according to FIFA - to clinch just their third ever World Cup win and go top of Group F.
Belgium, meanwhile, must really buck up their ideas in order to avoid further embarrassment in the form of being eliminated - the only thing that would be more tragic than that awful home kit.