World Cup: Belgium vs Morocco Odds GAME RECAP

Belgium Shaky in First Match

âš½Belgium vs Morocco: Game Recapâš½

Results: Belgium 0 – 2 Morocco

A pedestrian and predictable performance from Belgium was punished by Morocco, who snatched a 2-0 victory against Kevin DeBruyne’s side. Unfortunately, Belgium’s defeat is just one of the many upsets we’ve seen at the World Cup.

Belgium dictated play by holding on to the ball for most of the first half, managing over 70 percent possession in the opening 45 minutes. Yet, Morocco went closest to breaking the deadlock when Hakim Ziyech thought he had given his nation the lead at the brink of half-time. The Chelsea winger swung in a devilish free-kick that bamboozled Thibaut Courtois and ended up in the Belgium goal, sending the Moroccan fans into rapture.

However, their celebrations were cut short after a VAR review adjudged it to be offside.
Morocco gradually grew in confidence during the second half as Belgium failed to impose itself. Sofiane Boufal and Ziyech stretched the Belgium defense, constantly asking questions at every opportunity of the sluggish Belgium defense.

Boufal was taken off to many raised eyebrows at the 73-minute mark. However, Morocco took the lead shortly after. In a mirror image of their disallowed goal in the first half, albeit from the other flank, Abdelhamid Sabiri’s whipped delivery snuck its way into the back of the net.

Ear-splitting celebrations followed as Moroccan supporters celebrated every challenge from their players in a gritty end to the match, with the North African nation holding on for a famous victory by adding a late second through Aboukhlal.

Belgium would have booked their place in the World Cup Round of 16 with a victory, but the result means they will face a nervous wait until the final match. Belgium’s next game is against Croatia to advance. Meanwhile, Morocco takes on Canada to secure their spot in the next round.

📊 Team Stats 📊

BEL Belgium–MAR Morocco
67%Possession33%
10Total Shots11
3Shots on Target4
5Shots Wide6
2Shots Blocked1
2Saves3
9Corners1
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
10Fouls14
3Offsides3
89%Pass Accuracy85%
5Dribbles5
22Crosses7
14Tackles22

Did We Get It Right?

Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 23, 2022.

Underestimated Morocco Take on Belgium

The first batch of World Cup Group F matches didn’t necessarily go according to the script. Belgium struggled to defeat Canada but Red Devils GK Thibaut Courtois saved all three points. Meanwhile, Morocco held 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia to a scoreless draw. While Belgium and Croatia were overwhelming pre-tournament favorites to advance, this is now shaping up to be one of the most competitive groups. We’ll see the Atlas Lions’ chances to get a result vs Morocco as we preview the Belgium vs Morocco odds.

Belgium vs Morocco

Date, time (TV):
Location: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Streaming: FS1, Telemundo, Peacock

Team Standings and Odds:

TeamFIFA World RankingWorld Cup Qualifying RecordKnockout Stage OddsOdds to Win GroupOdds to Win World Cup
Belgium26-2-0, 1st UEFA Group E-1500-250+1700
Morocco227-1-0, 1st CAF Group I+150+600+18000

Head-to-Head:

All Meetings:Teams
Mar 2008:Belgium 1-4 Morocco
Sep 1999:Belgium 4-0 Morocco
Jun 1994:Belgium 1-0 Morocco

Belgium and Morocco have met on three previous occasions and only once in a World Cup. In Group F of the 1994 World Cup, Belgium managed a 1-0 victory over Morocco. So, this is a rare opportunity for Belgium vs. Morocco soccer World Cup betting. They haven’t faced off in nearly 15 years but Morocco won the last meeting 4-1.

Belgium: Eked Out Victory

Standings: 1-0, 1st
Previous Match: W, 1-0 vs. Canada
Upcoming Match: Dec. 1 vs. Croatia

Unexpectedly, Canada were the better team for long stretches of their match vs. Belgium on Wednesday. Canada played like a team with nothing to lose and created a bunch of good chances. Fortunately for Belgium, Thibaut Courtois was up to the task. The Real Madrid goalie, who won the World Cup Golden Glove in 2018, saved an early Alphonso Davies penalty. He was called upon a few times to preserve Belgium’s lead after Michy Batshuayi scored against the run of play in the 44th minute.

Belgium’s usual number nine, Romelu Lukaku, was sidelined with an injury and Batshuayi took his opportunity well. Still, this was not exactly a Belgium performance that inspired confidence. Midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne didn’t play to his usual standard and that was true across most of the XI. In any case, the Belgians are borderline contenders at +1700 FIFA 2022 odds to win the tournament.

Despite the circumstances, this win was a big first step toward the knockout stage for Roberto Martinez’s men. They’ll be able to clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a win and it’d be their third straight appearance. Lukaku is expected to miss this match as well, though, and be ready in time for the group stage closer. That could mean another opportunity for Batshuayi. Winger Leandro Trossard was a bright spot for the Red Devils when he came on and could be in contention to start too.

Morocco: Held the 2018 Finalists to Draw

Standings: 0-1-0, T-2nd
Previous Match: D, 0-0 vs. Croatia
Upcoming Match: Dec. 1 vs. Canada

Not too much was expected of Morocco heading into the World Cup. They started out with just a +225 price to make the knockout stage and +1000 odds to win the group. After earning a hard fought draw with Croatia in their first match, the Atlas Lions have measurably improved their chances. They now sit at +150 odds to advance and +600 odds to win the group. In their second match, the Belgium vs Morocco odds list the Atlas Lions as underdogs. If they’re able to score an upset, though, they’ll quickly become the group favorites.

Chances came at a premium in Morocco’s match vs. Croatia. Both sides only managed to put two shots on target and a Noussair Mazraoui header was Morocco’s best chance. Walid Regragui’s decision to recall winger Hakim Ziyech looks like a good one so far. Ziyech was Morocco’s main attacking threat and provided much needed creativity vs. Belgium.

Morocco’s defense has also been excellent recently. They’ve kept five straight clean sheets but will face their biggest test of the year on Sunday. Yassine Bounou has had a rough time this season with Sevilla but he’s still a top keeper. Morocco have a lot to be proud about following the Croatia game and another result would be a huge achievement.

Match Analysis and Odds:

The Belgium vs Morocco odds have moved in the Atlas Lions’ favor since the end of Wednesday’s matches. Belgium opened as one-goal favorites priced at even odds to cover the goal-line. Now, they’ve been downgraded to ½-goal favorites sitting at -105 ATS odds. Belgium’s shoddy performance vs. Canada has spooked would be punters, as Morocco are favored to cover, at -115 odds.

Belgium’s moneyline has also moved from -170 to -105, which is certainly a concerning sign. With the personnel they have, it wouldn’t be surprising if Belgium could find a second gear. Still, they haven’t been their usual selves this year. They’ve lost to Egypt in a pre-tournament friendly, dropped two matches to the Netherlands and drew with Republic of Ireland in 2022.

A draw has also moved from +300 to +250 odds. The goal total for the match is over/under 2½ and neither offense packed a punch in the first match.

Morocco’s moneyline odds have drastically shortened, from +460 to +300. They’ve proven they can hang around in games vs. tough opposition, which is half the battle. A draw has also moved from +300 to +250 odds. The goal total for the match is over/under 2½ and neither offense packed a punch in the first match. As a result, the over has moved from -115 odds to +110. So, the under is now implied to be more likely, at -130 odds. Expect a more competitive match than previously thought.

Belgium vs Morocco FAQ

When is the last time Belgium and Morocco played each other at a World Cup?

Belgium and Morocco have only met once in the World Cup, back in 1994. Belgium won the Group F matchup 1-0.

Where is Belgium vs. Morocco at Qatar 2022?

Belgium face Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Who scored for Belgium vs Canada?

Striker Michy Batshuayi scored the game’s only goal in Belgium’s World Cup opening win over Canada.
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