Belgium v Morocco: World Cup 2022 – live

“While #2 seems silly high for Belgium, as long as they have that magic Grady fellow (along with Courtois) who knows how far they could go,” says Zach Neeley. “Though I thought France would suffer without Kante/Pogba/Benzema and half way through the group stage they’re the only team to have won twice, so what do I know.”

Here’s more on Costa Rica’s surprise victory over Japan, which has given them – and Germany – a World Cup lifeline.

Meet Grady Kevin, a 31-year-old footballer from Manchester

I haven’t had chance to read this yet – four games a day and all that – but it looks terrific.

“With red-red being the colours today, it’s hard to tell,” says Hugh Molloy, “but I can confirm the crowd is 95% Morocco fans. Mood is excited and buzzy without the fervour, and booze, of the later games. So far.”

Do we know which team will be wearing their home kit? I hope it’s Morocco, which for mine is the best kit in the tournament.

“I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the Costa Rica page but my emails kept bouncing back,” says Alexandra Fullerton. “May I just say yeeessssssss!!!!!!!!! Much better. Still crap but better. Wow wow wow. It’s still on! Pura vida!!!!!!”

Pleased though I am for the team no longer known as CR7, it hasn’t half killed the jeopardy of tonight’s big game. Germany can now lose to Spain and still reasonably expect to qualify.

It looks like Bobby Martinez has done a reverse Bobby Robson, switching to a back four after the first game of a World Cup. I can’t remember the last time Belgium started a game with this system; the quarter-final against Brazil in 2018 maybe.

There are three changes from the Canada game. Everton’s Amadou Onana, who was excellent as substitute as Canada, replaces Youri Tielemans in midfield. Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard are in for Leander Dendoncker and Yannick Carrasco.

Morocco are unchanged.

Belgium (possible 4-2-3-1) Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne; Onana, Witsel; T Hazard, De Bruyne, E Hazard; Batshuayi.
Substitutes: the rest.

Morocco (4-3-3) Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Substitutes: the rest.

Referee Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos (Mexico)

Belgium, it says here, are the second best team in the world after Brazil. In fact, they’ve been in the top two of the Fifa rankings for over four years. But you wouldn’t have known it from their opening game against Canada on Wednesday. Belgium’s senescent side (average age 30.5, the highest in the competition so far) looked, well, old, and endured a pretty uncomfortable night. They also won 1-0. Even in an age of xG, hot takes and style entitlement, that’s still the most important thing. The result was another reminder that what age taketh away, experience giveth.

Another victory today against Morocco would put Belgium into the last 16 with a game to spare. Morocco played pretty well in their 0-0 draw with Croatia, but it was another World Cup game without a victory. Their last was against Scotland, which gives you an idea of long it’s been. It’s surprising, given the enduring impression made by the teams of 1986 and 1998, to realise Morocco have only ever won two matches at the World Cup. This would be quite the time for a third.

Kick off 1pm GMT, 4pm in Al Thumama, 2pm in Brussels and Rabat.