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Belgium vs Morocco LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest score, goals and updates as VAR denies Hakim Ziyech strike

Martinez gives Lukaku update as 'below par' Belgium prepare for Morocco

Belgium play Morocco in their second Group F fixture at World Cup 2022 in Qatar knowing that a win will take them into the knockout rounds. The Red Devils were second best during their opening match against a spirited Canada and only won 1-0 thanks to poor finishing from their opponents and a lovely strike from forward Michy Batshuayi.

Morocco meanwhile got their World Cup campaign started with a goalless draw against Croatia. In truth it was a game of low quality with the European side failing to capitalise on their possession whilst Morocco held their own defensively but offered little at the other end of the pitch.

Roberto Martinez was critical of his team after the Canada win but said that tournament football is all about peaking at the correct time so he will be hoping his Belgium side get the job done against Morocco this afternoon and secure progression to the last 16.

Belgium should have enough quality to in midfield to dominate and control the match but if Morocco can keep them at bay too – and possibly collect a point or three – they will be well set to reach the round of 16 themselves will a final group game against Canada to come.

Follow all the action with our live blog below:

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Half-time: Belgium 0-0 Morocco

45+4 mins: Drama late in the first half but the teams head into the break with nothing to separate them. Hakim Ziyech will still be reeling from the chalked off goal but Thibaut Courtois always looked as though he expected it to get disallowed.

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NO GOAL! Belgium 0-0 Morocco

45+4 mins: Oh no! Hakim Ziyech’s opener is ruled out due to Romain Saiss being offside in the build-up then blocking the goalkeeper’s view. Morocco will be gutted about that but Belgium have a reprieve.

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GOAL! Belgium 0-1 Morocco (Ziyech, 45+2’)⚽️

45+2 mins: Morocco score! Right on the stroke of half-time.

Morocco win a free kick over on the right side of the box with Hakim Ziyech standing over the set piece. He whips a pacey ball into the middle as Romain Saiss makes a run to the six-yard area.

Saiss misses his attempted header but the ball skips through and beats Thibaut Courtois to send Morocco ahead!

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

42 mins: Romelu Lukaku has been sent out to warm-up for Belgium. If the game keeps going the way it is, his introduction won’t be long after the restart for the second half.

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

39 mins: Here’s another chance for Belgium to take the lead. Kevin De Bruyne stands over a free kick to the left side of the penalty area.

He whips the ball into the box in an attempt to go for goal and sends the ball landing on top of the net. Not his best effort that one.

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

36 mins: Chance! Timothy Castagne is drawn out of position allowing Achraf Hakimi to sprint in behind Thorgan Hazard and collect the ball as it’s played over to him.

He carries it into the box and instead of passing to Youssef En-Nesyri he shoots and blasts his effort over the top!

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

33 mins: Nearly! Eden Hazard does great on the left side of the pitch with a slick spin around his man in midfield which sets him off for a run towards goal .

He squares the ball to Kevin De Bruyne who feeds it across to Thomas Meunier on the right. Meunier curls a low pass into the six-yard area hoping to pick out one of Belgium’s Hazards but Munir Mohamedi scoops up the pitch first.

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

30 mins: That yellow card means that Amadu Onana will miss Belgium’s next match against Croatia. That means it’s imperative that Roberto Martinez’s men win today and secure qualification before then.

Morocco have done well to get back into this game. They’re getting higher up the pitch and are starting to increase the pressure on Belgium.

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

27 mins: Amadu Onana goes in the book for leading with his elbow when challenging Azzedine Ounahi for an aerial ball. The Moroccan free kick gets chipped into the box but no-one gets on the end of it and the ball bounces out for a goal kick.

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Belgium 0-0 Morocco

24 mins: The atmosphere in the stadium is very good. The Morocco fans are making a lot of noise and are encouraging their teams to push Belgium back.

Amadu Onana watches as he team mates knock the ball around the back line. He’s calling for the ball in midfield then overhits a through ball for Thorgan Hazard when it eventually come to him.