Morocco surprises Belgium with two late goals

KATHMANDU: Morocco scored two second half goals to hand Belgium a shock defeat in Group F of the FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

Abdelhamid Sabiri’s freekick from near the corner curled inside the post in to give Morocco lead in the 73rd minute. Zakaria Aboukhlal added Morocco’s second in the stoppage time. Hakim Ziyech found the back of the Belgian net before the 73rd opener. But it was ruled out by VAR.

Belgium dominated the field but failed to make it count. It fired 10 shots, including three on the target, at Morocco’s post, but none troubled Morocco keeper. Morocco also had 10 shots, including four on target, but the North Africans were more clinical.

Morocco leads the Group F table with four points, followed by Belgium which has three. Croatia and Canada play later today in Group F.

Japan loses to Costa Rica
Costa Rica defeated Japan 1-0 in their Group E encounter on Sunday, denting the Asian side’s hope of reaching the last 16 of the World Cup.

Japan, which defeated Germany 2-1 in its first match, was expected to dictate the game against the North Americans who conceded seven goals against Spain. But Keysher Fuller scored from Costa Rica’s first shot on the target in the 81st minute to stun Japan.