In an exciting Group F, where all four teams had chance to qualify for the knock-out round of 16, Morocco defeated Canada while Croatia held Belgium.
Morocco ended up topping the table, their first in 36 years. Croatia came second to join Morocco in the round of 16, even as a wasteful Belgium ended their World Cup campaign.
Morocco started brilliantly with Hakim Ziyech scoring in the fourth minute itself.
Youssed En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, putting Morocco firmly in the drivers seat in the group as they required just a draw to qualify.
Canada was handed a lifeline when Morocco defender Aquerd failed to clear a low cross from the left flank and ended up diverting the ball to their own goal.
Canada needing an outright win to qualify had a lot of ball possession but had only five shots on goal with none on target, as a compact Morocco saw off any threat.
Moroccan football is flying high tonight! 🤩🇲🇦#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/PVp6pAA4gA
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
Morocco ended up topping the table for the first time in 36 years and also reaching the second round for the first time in 36 years in FIFA World Cup.
The other match between Belgium and Croatia was a much more open game as both teams looked for an outright win. Belgium needed an outright win for any chance to proceed further.
🇭🇷 The dream continues…#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/ltkUPw4oTR
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
Croatia, the runners-up of the 2018 World Cup, looked stronger with good runs into the Belgium defence.
In the 15th minute, Croatia was given a penalty for a foul by Carrasco on Kramaric. With Modric ready to take the shot, the referee decided to refer VAR for a possible offside before the foul was committed.
On VAR review, the referee ruled that offside preceded the foul and the penalty awarded was nullified.
Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois made some decent saves to deny Croatia any goal.
As the match progressed, Belgium introduced their striker Romelu Lukaku and forward Eden Hazard.
Lukaku missed a series of chances towards the end.
In the 60th minute, Lukaku pounced on a rebound from close range but the shot hit the post with keeper and defender both beaten.
Two minutes later, Lukaku had an almost empty net but headed a ball high over the crossbar.
Croatia secure their place in the knockouts 🇭🇷@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
In the 90th minute, Lukaku had another opportunity when he could not control a cross from Thorgan Hazard. He just needed a simple tap in but the ball hit his chest and went straight to the keeper as Croatia had another lucky escape.
Lukaku’s final opportunity came in extra time when a sharp tackle took the ball away from his feet before he could shoot into an almost empty net from close range.
Belgium’s search for that one goal required for a victory that would have taken them to the round of 16 was so near yet never came.
