Group F : Spirited Morocco Beat Belgium

Two second half goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri(73’) and Zakaria Aboukhlal (90+2’)  gave Morocco a deserved two nil victory over Belgium last evening to go top of Group F and put them into the driving seat for a place into the knockout stages. In an Al Thumama Stadium submerged by Moroccan fans, it is the Atlas Lions that started the game brightly but it is Belgium who got the first real sight at goal after five minutes when Thorgan Harzard slipped in Michy Batchuayi whose shot was palmed away for a corner.
Belgium grew into the game but their passing on the night didn’t look sharp as Morocco were comfortable to let them have the ball and hit on the counter. Morocco struggled to get out of their own half during long spells of the first period but still managed to create decent chances when going forward.  The Atlas Lions thought they had taken the lead when they got the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half time but Ziyech’s effort was ruled out for a marginal offside after the referee consulted the pitch side monitor.
They did get their rewards for constant asking in the second half when Sabiri(73’) whipped in a free kick from the left which went all the way through Courtois who misjudged the ball after being put off by Saiss-an identical situation to the goal...