Belgium are willing to seal qualification to the last 16 stages with a game left in the group stages by winning against Morocco.
The Red Devils picked up a narrow 1-0 victory over Canada in the opening group game while Morocco earned a respectable point in the 0-0 draw against Croatia.
BEL vs MOR Match Details
Date: Sunday, 27 November 2022
Time: 16:00 (BST) / 18:30 (IST)
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Al Thumama
BEL vs MOR Match Preview
Belgium started their 2022 World Cup campaign with a win over Canada but the performance shown was less satisfying. Even player of the match awardee De Bruyne said he was surprised for the prize as it was not his A-game for the side. The Red Devils started the game on a back foot with Les Rouges looking to hurt them early won a penalty as soon as 10 minutes into the game for a Yannick Carrasco handball in the box. The hero for Belgium in major competitions including the last World Cup, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved the spot-kick from Alphonso Davies which became crucial later on in the game. Striker Michy Batshuayi, filling in for the injured Lukaku since the start of the season, latched on to a long pass from Toby Alderweireld to give Belgium the lead just before the break. Both teams created plenty of chances in the next period but both stood strong as Red Devils collected the win to put them closer to qualification for the last 16. Their overall display though won’t please the fans and improvement is definitely needed for a deep run in the tournament. Roberto Martinez’s side faces Morocco in the next group-stage game certainly fancying their chances having never lost against an African nation in the World Cup. However, they have to be careful to avoid any slips ups as the opposition has drawn points out of Croatia in their first game.
Morocco’s goalless draw against the 2018 World Cup finalist will go down as an achievement for the nation in the tournament. Although, the lack of creativity remains a cause of concern for manager Walid Regragui. With Hakim Ziyech now restored back to the fold after a dispute with the previous manager, the Atlas Lions wanted their star man to sprinkle some magic into the game. It wasn’t to be as Luka Modric of Croatia also failed to shine as well. Nothing was actually gained from the match but the point earned will give some kind of hope ahead of facing Belgium. The coach has already ruled Morocco out of contention for the knockouts. Despite that, another point gained in this could give them a shot beyond the group stages if they manage to win against Canada in the final game. The North American nation played against Croatia in the other match. Morocco will face Belgium for only the second time in the World Cup. The first one ended in a defeat in the 1994 edition hosted by the United States. Also, they will be the only second African nation to prevent Belgium from winning in this tournament if they pick at least a point on Sunday.
BEL vs MOR Team News
Coach Roberto Martinez confirmed that Romelu Lukaku is ahead of his schedule with his recovery but is unlikely to feature in Belgium’s second group-stage game. Michy Batshuayi will continue to lead the line after scoring his fourth and making the eighth goal contribution in the last nine games for the Red Devils. Thomas Meunier could replace Timothy Castagne at the right-back spot after regaining full fitness from the injury he suffered at Borussia Dortmund.
Check here Belgium’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Belgium - World Cup Records and Stats
Morocco have ruled out Noussair Mazraoui from contention for this game after he sustained a hip injury during the game against Croatia. The Bayern Munich player will be fit in time to face Canada in the last group-stage game. There were doubts over Achraf Hakimi’s participation as well. The right-back had a thigh injury concern but he is expected to start here. Coach Walid Regragui will stick to the eleven that drew in the first game in trying to frustrate the opposition again.
Check here Morocco’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and Morocco’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile
BEL vs MOR Predicted Lineups
BEL: Thibaut Courtois; Leander Dendoncker Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen; Thomas Meunier, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Yannick Carrasco; De Bruyne, Eden Hazard; Michy Batshuayi
MOR: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Naif Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Yahia Attiyat; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofiane Amrabat, Selim Amallah; Hakkim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal
BEL vs MOR Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Courtois (8)
DEF: Meunier (8.5), Aguerd (8.5), Alderweirld (7.5), Hakimi (9)
MID: Ziyech (8.5), Ounahi (8.5), De Bruyne (9), E Hazard (9)
FW: Boufal (9), Batshuayi (8)
Vice-captain: Michy Batshuayi
Captain: De Bruyne
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