Morocco star Abdelhamid Sabiri has somehow delivered an excellent set piece under Thibaut Courtois
(Image credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world – but Morocco have managed to score a free-kick under the Real Madrid custodian.
Former Huddersfield Town star Abdelhamid Sabiri managed to find an acute angle to beat Courtois, giving Morocco a second-half lead. Sabiri had only been the pitch for minutes, too, coming on as a substitute.
Morocco have the breakthrough! 🇲🇦🖥📱💻 Live @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer, @BBCSounds and via the @BBCSport app #BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball #FIFAWorldCupNovember 27, 2022
Before the match, Morocco made an extremely late replacement in goal, as Sevilla custodian Bono was fit enough to sing the national anthem but then complained to manager Walid Regragui that he had a problem and couldn’t play. Belgium, meanwhile, dropped Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans in favour of Everton star Andre Onana, who brought the intensity for the second half of their 1-0 win over Canada on Matchday 1.
The Red Devils started well, too, having three free-kicks around the penalty area in the first half that looked to test Munir. The best opportunity came from the dangerous Kevin De Bruyne – who made headlines this week for claiming his side have “no chance” in Qatar – landing his strike on the roof of the net.
The Atlas Lions grew into the first half, however, and with the Al Thumama Stadium, predominantly filled with fans from the north African nation, Morocco’s most expensive star, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, drew noise from his fans when he sprinted free on the right and blazed over from the edge of the box.
Hakim Ziyech had a goal ruled out for offside (Image credit: Elsa/Getty Images)
The second half began with a little more urgency, with both sides throwing a little more caution to the wind, with former Napoli man Dries Mertens – on for Eden Hazard – stinging Munir’s gloves on 64 minutes with an effort. Morocco’s hopes were dented not long after when the talismanic Hakimi replaced with around half an hour to go. The marauding full-back was a doubt prior to the match with a thigh strain.
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Canada’s clash with the Croatia kicks off later in Group F.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
