Belgium seeks the round of 16 and more football against Morocco

Belgium seeks the round of 16 and more football against Morocco

MADRID, 26 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Belgian team will look for another victory against Morocco this Sunday (2:00 p.m. / World Goal) that seals their ticket to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, after beating Canada by a minimum, in a second day in which the Africans need take the win so as not to be left out.

Roberto Martínez's men come from winning 1-0 in their debut against the North Americans, in a difficult match that they were able to bring forward thanks to a solitary goal from Michy Batshuayi, shortly after the end of the first half. The goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the best of his own, key to the victory, after saving a penalty from Alphonso Davies and supporting a Belgian team with his saves that left many doubts.

The Spanish coach, aware of the importance of adding three again, will bet on an eleven that will dispel the doubts generated by John Herdman's men. Without Lukaku still at 100%, Batshuayi, the scorer against Canada, will surely repeat in attack escorted by Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard, who will surely also want to vindicate himself after going unnoticed in the first match.

Thus, the 'Diables Rouges' will look for the mathematical pass to the round of 16 and with the first place in the group almost guaranteed, waiting for what happens in the other match between Croatia and Canada. For its part, Morocco arrives with the need to add its first victory in this World Cup after the goalless draw against the Croatian team. Despite the result, the Atlas Lions left a good letter of introduction that they want to confirm now against the theoretical favorite of Group F.

The Africans arrive pending the physique of their two full-backs, both very important for Walid Regragui's game scheme. Achraf suffered a small hamstring strain against Croatia and Mazraoui a bruised hip. The rest of the eleven will be repeated, with the unknown of Ez Abde, who could start after his good minutes against the Croats.

The only time the African team made it past the group stage was in Mexico 1986, when they played in the round of 16 and lost to Germany 1-0. Now, with the same objective and, after 28 years, Belgium and Morocco meet again in a World Cup. They also shared a group in the United States 1994, when the Belgians beat the Moroccan team 1-0.

BELGICA: Courtois; Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dendoncker; Carrasco, Witsel, Tielemans, Meunier, Hazard; De Bruyne, Batshuayi.

MARRUECOS: Bono; Mazraoui, Saïss, Aguerd, Achraf; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Boufal, Ziyech, En Nesyri.

--REFEREE: César Arturo Ramos (MEX).

--ESTADIUM: Al Thumama Stadium.

--TIME: 14.00/World Goal.