Algoz do Brasil in the 2018 World Cup, in Russia, and considered one of the favorite teams for the title in Qatar, Belgium met this Sunday (27) its first defeat in the 2022 World Cup.
In a surprising result at the Al Thumama stadium, in Doha, Morocco won by 2-0.
Midfielder Sabiri took a free kick in the 28th minute of the second half, five minutes after coming on as a substitute, and the ball ended up in the nets defended by Courtois.
It would have been the first free-kick goal in the Qatari World Cup. But it was not.
Fifa initially credited the goal to Sabiri, but later followed what Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos pointed out and registered defender Saiss as its author.
Sabiri’s kick came off the left end, in a position from which a finish is usually not expected, but a cross. Best goalkeeper in the world, Courtois, caught by surprise, mishandled the ball, which went under him.
In the move, Saiss, captain of Morocco, appeared in front of the Belgian archer, which raised doubts as to whether he would be in an offside position – if so, for having disturbed Courtois’ vision, the goal would be annulled. Only the defender was in legal condition.
Arturo Ramos not only confirmed the goal after consulting the VAR (video assistant referee) but also considered that Saiss, the Moroccan captain, had deviated – from the TV cameras it is not possible to be sure that the number 6 slipped on the ball.
In the first half, Morocco had a goal disallowed in a very similar move.
With a free kick, only on the right, Ziyech hit the goal straight and was successful, but Saiss was ahead and the goal was disallowed after a VAR check.
Belgium, who had already played poorly in their debut, were apathetic throughout the match and had no power to react.
His playmaker, midfielder De Bruyne, was a shadow of the excellent player he is when playing for his club, the English Manchester City.
And who scored again, near the end of the game, was the African team, with striker Aboukhlal, another who came off the bench, completing a cross by Ziyech in the penalty area.
It was only Morocco’s fourth World Cup victory in 18 matches, and its first since the 1998 World Cup. This is the country’s sixth participation in a FIFA World Cup, with the best result (last 16) coming 1986 in Mexico.
The victory put Morocco ahead of Belgium in Group F, with 4 points. The Belgians have 3. The group leader is Croatia, which after beating and eliminating Canada reached 4 points and has a better goal difference than the Moroccans
In the final round of the group, on Thursday (1st), Belgium needs to defeat Croatia to qualify without depending on the result of Morocco x Canada.
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