Teams face off at 4pm (13:00 GMT) at Al Thumama Stadium.
Belgium seeks commanding performance after sluggish win victory against Canada.
Morocco was energized by a hard-fought draw against Croatia.
FIFA rankings: Morocco (22), Belgium (2)
Kick-off!
The sides have stood for the anthems and are raring to go.
Belgium will go in with a 3-5-2 formation, while Morocco will sport a slightly more aggressive 4-1-2-3 scheme.
It will be the Red Devils who will kick off proceedings here at Al Thumama.
1 minute: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
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Last-minute goalkeeper switch for Morocco
There is a very late change here for Morocco as goalkeeper Bounou has been withdrawn in place of Monir El Kajoui.
Hopefully, we can get more updates on that shortly for you.
5 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
First corner for Belgium
Thorgan is tasked with taking it from the left side and whips it in but the Moroccan defenscanto deflect it away for a right-side corner.
Thorgan takes it once more and sends in another searching ball, but nothing comes off it.
7 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Belgium in control
Having dominated possession to the tune of 79 percent, the Red Devils are looking to dictate play as Morocco seems content to sit back somewhat.
11 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Belgium won threatening free-kick
Belgium wins a free-kick in a dangerous area just outside the top right of the box.
Thorgan and de Bruyne are waiting, with the latter curling in a ball into the middle which unfortunately doesn’t succeed in finding a Belgian head.
12 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Belgium is starting to take control
The Belgian players are taking their time spreading safe, close passes to each other bringing loud whistling from the Moroccan fans.
It’s starting to get dark inside the stadium. The floodlights have been switched on.
The whistling goes a few notches up whenever Kevin De Bruyne has the ball. Perhaps the Moroccan fans know the Manchester City maestro is deadly on the ball.
Belgium gets another free-kick opportunity
This time on the left side of the pitch about 25 meters out.
De Bruyne has a one-two with Eden before shooting but is thwarted by the Moroccan wall. The resulting corner on the left doesn’t bear much fruit either.
In comparison to the Canada match, Belgium is really playing with some purpose so far.
17 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
The first shot on target for Belgium
Meunier gets the honor after some more Belgium pressure forces Morocco to be dispossessed just outside the box.
The right-bacan to find some space to lace one at the net but is dealt with rather comfortably by El Kajoui.
19 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Ziyech lets one fly
Morocco’s first crack at goal comes courtesy of a Ziyech long-distance strike from well outside the box.
Unfortunately, it has just a bit too much elevation on it to trouble Courtois.
22 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Courtois living dangerously
The Belgian goalie tries to be a bit too casual on the ball in the face of a rampaging En-Nesyri.
can to do a quick step-over the other way to send the striker off his tail before going downfield.
Could have been a really bad start for Belgium if he had messed that up.
24 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
De Bruyne isn’t confident about Belgium’s chances
“No chance, we’re too old,” Kevin de Bruyne said in a recent interviwith to The Guardian when asked if Belgium ha as chance of winning the World Cup.
“I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is aging. We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018. I see us more as outsiders.”
Proud moment for the Hazards
Apparently, this is the first time both Thorgan and Eden have started a World Cup match together.
Hopefully, they can influence the match in some manner to mark the occasion.
Their parents must be so proud.
28 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
The first caution of the match
Belgium’s Onana goes into the book after a rather rough aerial challenge on Ounahi.
Morocco wins the resulting free-kick about 40 meters out buisre unable to convert anything from it.
30 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
908 total caps for the Belgian team
Staggering amount when you realize, by that metric, that each player out there averages 82 caps!
33 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Hakimi lashes one wide
Hakimi goes on a run from the right side and gets into the box, but doesn’t have any support as he laces this one at Courtois.
The ball ends up flying past the left post.
35 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Free-kick to Belgium
De Bruyne is brought down on the left near the corner flag and gets a free-kick. He looks to have a go at the far post but ends up getting too much height on it.
39 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Courtois hasn’t had much to do
Thibaut Courtois was Belgium’s best player in their first game against Canada. His string of saves kept a spirited Canadian side at bay. But so far, he’s been relatively untroubled by Morocco.
Lukaku limbering up on the touchline
Seems like Belgium’s manager Roberto Martinez may allow the Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku to have a go as reports suggested that he was progressing well in his recovery.
44 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Hakimi, the Moroccan fan favorite
There is an eardrum-splitting cheer from the Moroccan fans every time Hakimi, the Atlas lion’s right-back, poaches the ball – possibly the most popular player with the fans in the stadium.
The 24-year-old PSG player has been running up and down the right side covering every inch of the green turf. He is extremely fit. The Madrid-born player’s stamina is unbelievablsuperhumanman lungs.
Morocco win dangerous free-kick
The golden opportunity here as Morocco wins a free-kick just on the outside of the right corner of the box.
The fourth official has signaled for one minute of added time so this could very well be the final chance of the half for either side.
45+1 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Goal disallowed
Ziyech sends in a lovely strike which beats Courtois to nestle into the bottom right corner. It’s a GOAL!
Seems as though the ball grazed Courtois’ right side as it beat him.
But wait, there is a VAR check for possible interference as he did seem to be caught out when the ball went in. The referee checks and it is deemed that the goal will not stand.
Saiss was just ahead of his marker. He’s offside. Would have been an incredible finish for Morocco if that was a clean attempt.
45+3 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Half-time: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
What a crazy last few minutes that was at the end there!
Ziyech was literally inches away from putting his side ahead despite Morocco being largely second-best throughout that first half.
Belgium dictated play by holding onto the ball 70 percent of the time while also having double the shots at six to three.
The Red Devils also managed a staggering 334 passes to Morocco’s 141, which sums up things rather well.
Morocco will be pleased to keep the game level as they enter the half, but will be wary of Belgium’s capability and deep reserves.
Moroccan fans have their say
The red and green army feels like they have the upper hand in the match. They can’t wait for the second half to kick off.
“It was not a goal. It was a close call though. The second half, I think it will go well for us,” Jalal Boulder, said as he took his seat for the second half.
“The Belgians haven’t played well. They are going through a tough time I think. Our team, everyone played well in that half,” he added.
The second half is about to commence
The players have regrouped and are ready to go.
It will be Morocco kicking things off for this half.
46 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Next 45 coming up
The players have regrouped and are ready to go. It will be Morocco kicking things off for the second half.
Belgium 0-0 Morocco
“It was disrespectful”
Europhilia and cheering then great disappointment as Morocco was not awarded a goal just before the end of the first half of the match against Belgium.
“It was disrespectful, it was clearly a goal,” said Ayoub, 17, wrapped in a Moroccan flag, speaking at a screening of the match at a youth center in central Brussels
Ziyech attempt saved
First legitimate shot on target from Morocco, and how appropriate that it was Ziyech who takes it.
He gives him some space outside the box and looks to curl one in past Courtois’ right, but ends up hitting it squarer at the keeper.
Perhaps it was that late disallowed goal in the previous half but Morocco is certainly pressing higher up the pitch.
50 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Eden has a go at El Kajoui
This time it is the diminutive winger’s turn to have a go at the net, and he rockets one at the Moroccan keeper, who does well to parry it away for a left-side corner.
The resulting corner ends up being headed over the bar by Onana.
53 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Belgium lacks the cutting edge
There’s been an industry in this Belgian performance but its lacked incisiveness.
If I was Roberto Martinez, I’d be looking to get Tielemans and Lukaku on.
Boufal is close to putting Morocco ahead
The attacker picks up the ball outside the left top corner of the box and looks to finesse a shot past Courtois, with the ball just narrowly evading the right post.
So, so close there for Morocco. They are increasingly becoming a threat to the Belgian defense.
57 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Double substitution for Belgium
Martinez wisely decides a change is needed. On come Dries Mertens and Youri Tielemans for Eden Hazard and Amadou Onana.
61 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Morocco fans doing their part
Courtois’ eardrums are taking a good old beating thanks to the sea of red and green fans behind his goal.
They are whistling and cheering loudly without a break. Not surprising that the Real Madrid shot-stopper is keeping a Highline whenever possible.
Perhaps he wants to give his ears a much-needed reprieve.
65 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Morocco continues to probe
Morocco looks far better this second half than their counterparts.
Boufal continues to harass on that left side but has not been able to pick out anyone despite sending in a few hopeful crosses into the middle.
67 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Mertens attempt denied
The forward, just five minutes or so after coming on, makes an impact as he shoots from outside the box but the shot is blocked by El Kajoui.
Batshuayi receives the ball inside the box but his attempt is deflected as the ball loops comfortably to the Moroccan goalkeeper for an easy save.
The stage is set for Lukaku
68 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
Double change for Morocco
Moroccan manager Walid Regragui decides he needs to respond in kind by making two substitutions of his own.
Abdelhamid Sabiri and Yahia Attiyat Allah are brought on in place of Selim Amallah and Ashram Hakimi.
71 mins: Belgium 0-0 Morocco
More changes at Al Thumama
Morocco elects to make two more personnel changes as Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri will be brought off in favor of Aboukhlal and Hamdallah.
GOAL!
Morocco go ahead!
Soon after those substitutions are made, a corner is won on the left side.
Sabiri, who was recently brought on, curls in a lovely attempt at the far post which beats Courtois all ends up.
Morocco thoroughly deserve that one after very much being the more positive of the two sides this half.
73 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Bedlam in the Morocco end!
You could sense it coming. The whole stadium could feel a goal was coming.
The blue and green flag of Morocco is waving everywhere in the stadium.
They are jumping up and down, hugs all around. It is their first goal in this tournament. And who can blame them for over celebrating.
Belgium respond with two substitutions
Martinez is now fully in damage-control mode as he brings on attackers Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere for Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi.
The latter two have just not been as impactful on proceedings, and it is clear Belgium are looking for a quick equalizer.
79 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Lukaku brought on
Thomas Meunier makes way for the Inter Milan striker as Belgium need a goal, and very quickly at that.
82 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Vertonghen header goes begging
Belgium win a corner on the right and Mertens picks out the central defender, who glances the header just left of the goal.
83 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Morocco clinging on in face of Belgian attack
Belgium are pushing higher up the pitch as they look to tie it up.
Morocco, who have not conceded a goal in over 10 hours of match play, will want to keep that record intact as we wind down here at Al Thumama Stadium.
85 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Higher press leaves Belgium vulnerable
Morocco have managed a few runs at the other end as a natural consequence of the higher lines Martinez is employing.
Belgium should be careful because another Moroccan goal would effectively end this contest.
87 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Five minutes of stoppage time
The fourth official has signalled for five more minutes of stoppage time, which should leave plenty of time for an exciting finish.
90 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
Morocco win their first corner of the match
After Hamdallah’s surging run is deflected away for a left corner, Morocco take it quickly but are unable to make anything of it.
90+1 mins: Belgium 0-1 Morocco
GOAL!
It is Moroccan mayhem at Al Thumama!
Ziyech has been a constant nuisance for Belgium, and he makes a valuable assist as his run into the box leaves him being pushed to the outside right of the box.
He spots Aboukhlal lurking not too far from the near post. The forward receives it from Ziyech and shoots right into the top corner of the net to send the Moroccan fans into delirium.
90+3 mins: Belgium 0-2 Morocco
Full-time: Belgium 0-2 Morocco
The referee blows the final whistle and Al Thumama bursts into life as Morocco have beaten second-ranked Belgium to seal a famous 2-0 victory.
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