Belgium vs Canada

Group F of the 2022 FIFA World Cup took place from 23 November to 1 December 2022.[1] The group consisted of Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.[2] The top two teams, Morocco and Croatia, advanced to the round of 16, and later played against each other again in the third-place play-off game, with Croatia winning 2–1.[3][4] Morocco advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 1986. By winning the group, they became the first African team to do so since Nigeria in 1998. Belgium failed to advance out of the group round for the first time, also since 1998.[5]

Teams

Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings[6]
March 2022[nb 1] October 2022
F1 Belgium1UEFAUEFA Group E winners13 November 202114th2018Third place (2018)22
F2 Canada4CONCACAFCONCACAF third round winners27 March 20222nd1986Group stage (1986)3841
F3 Morocco3CAFCAF third round winners29 March 20226th2018Round of 16 (1986)2422
F4 Croatia2UEFAUEFA Group H winners14 November 20216th2018Runners-up (2018)1612

Notes

  1. The rankings of March 2022 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Morocco 3 2 1 0 4 1 +3 7 Advanced to knockout stage
2  Croatia 3 1 2 0 4 1 +3 5
3  Belgium 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 4
4  Canada 3 0 0 3 2 7 5 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

In the round of 16:

  • The winners of Group F, Morocco, advanced to play the runners-up of Group E, Spain.
  • The runners-up of Group F, Croatia, advanced to play the winners of Group E, Japan.

Matches

All times listed are local, AST (UTC+3).[1]

Morocco vs Croatia

The teams had previously faced each other once, in a 1996 friendly match that ended in a 2–2 draw.

Although Croatia dominated possession, the match was one of few chances, and ended in a scoreless draw.[7]

The two sides would go on to face off again in the third place match, making this the second straight World Cup where the third place match was contested by two teams drawn in the same group (after Belgium and England did so in 2018).

Morocco 0–0 Croatia
Report
Morocco
Croatia
GK1Yassine Bounou
RB2Achraf Hakimi
CB5Nayef Aguerd
CB6Romain Saïss (c)
LB3Noussair Mazraouidownward-facing red arrow 60'
DM4Sofyan AmrabatYellow card 78'
CM8Azzedine Ounahidownward-facing red arrow 81'
CM15Selim Amallah
RF7Hakim Ziyech
CF19Youssef En-Nesyridownward-facing red arrow 81'
LF17Sofiane Boufaldownward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
DF25Yahia Attiyat Allahupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW16Abde Ezzalzouliupward-facing green arrow 65'
FW9Abderrazak Hamdallahupward-facing green arrow 81'
FW11Abdelhamid Sabiriupward-facing green arrow 81'
Manager:
Walid Regragui
GK1Dominik Livaković
RB22Josip Juranović
CB6Dejan Lovren
CB20Joško Gvardiol
LB19Borna Sosa
DM11Marcelo Brozović
CM10Luka Modrić (c)
CM8Mateo Kovačićdownward-facing red arrow 79'
RF13Nikola Vlašićdownward-facing red arrow 46'
CF9Andrej Kramarićdownward-facing red arrow 71'
LF4Ivan Perišićdownward-facing red arrow 90'
Substitutions:
MF15Mario Pašalićupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW14Marko Livajaupward-facing green arrow 71'
MF7Lovro Majerupward-facing green arrow 79'
FW18Mislav Oršićupward-facing green arrow 90'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić

Man of the Match:
Luka Modrić (Croatia)[8]

Assistant referees:
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Diego Bonfá (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Reserve assistant referee:
Karen Díaz Medina (Mexico)
Video assistant referee:
Julio Bascuñán (Chile)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Leodán González (Uruguay)
Nicolás Taran (Uruguay)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Martín Soppi (Uruguay)

Belgium vs Canada

The teams had faced each other once prior, a 1989 friendly won 2–0 by Belgium. This match made Canada's head coach, Englishman John Herdman, the first manager to coach a team at both the men's and women's FIFA World Cup.[9]

Despite dominating much of proceedings and having 19 attempts on goal, including an early penalty kick taken by Alphonso Davies that was saved by Thibaut Courtois, Canada could not find a way to score, and the sole goal of the match came near the end of the first half from Belgium's Michy Batshuayi, when he converted following a long-range pass upfield from defender Toby Alderweireld.[10]

Belgium 1–0 Canada
  • Batshuayi 44'
Report
Belgium
Canada
GK1Thibaut Courtois
CB19Leander Dendoncker
CB2Toby Alderweireld
CB5Jan Vertonghen
RM21Timothy Castagne
CM8Youri Tielemansdownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM6Axel Witsel
LM11Yannick CarrascoYellow card 9'downward-facing red arrow 46'
AM7Kevin De Bruyne
AM10Eden Hazard (c)downward-facing red arrow 62'
CF23Michy Batshuayidownward-facing red arrow 78'
Substitutions:
MF18Amadou OnanaYellow card 56'upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF15Thomas MeunierYellow card 54'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW17Leandro Trossardupward-facing green arrow 62'
FW24Loïs Opendaupward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Spain Roberto Martínez
GK18Milan Borjan
CB2Alistair JohnstonYellow card 83'
CB5Steven Vitória
CB4Kamal Miller
RM22Richie Laryeadownward-facing red arrow 74'
CM13Atiba Hutchinson (c)downward-facing red arrow 58'
CM7Stephen Eustáquiodownward-facing red arrow 81'
LM19Alphonso DaviesYellow card 81'
AM11Tajon Buchanandownward-facing red arrow 81'
AM10Junior Hoilettdownward-facing red arrow 58'
CF20Jonathan David
Substitutions:
FW17Cyle Larinupward-facing green arrow 58'
MF15Ismaël Konéupward-facing green arrow 58'
DF3Sam Adekugbeupward-facing green arrow 74'
MF23Liam Millarupward-facing green arrow 81'
MF21Jonathan Osorioupward-facing green arrow 81'
Manager:
England John Herdman

Man of the Match:
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)[11]

Assistant referees:
Jerson dos Santos (Angola)
Arsénio Marrengula (Mozambique)
Fourth official:
Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
Reserve assistant referee:
Neuza Back (Brazil)
Video assistant referee:
Juan Soto (Venezuela)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Abdelhak Etchiali (Algeria)

Belgium vs Morocco

The teams had met in three previous matches, including Belgium's 1–0 group stage victory at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Romain Saïss put Morocco in front in the 73rd minute, when he glanced the ball in at close range after a free kick whipped in from the left by Abdelhamid Sabiri deceived Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the near post.[12] Zakaria Aboukhlal made it 2–0 in added time when he finished high into the right corner of the net after a cut-back from Hakim Ziyech on the right.[13]

The match was only Morocco's third victory in World Cup history. The result sparked riots back in Belgium (home to a large ethnic Moroccan community), with resident fires and fireworks being set off.[14][15]

Belgium 0–2 Morocco
Report
Attendance: 43,738
Belgium
Morocco
GK1Thibaut Courtois
RB15Thomas Meunierdownward-facing red arrow 81'
CB2Toby Alderweireld
CB5Jan Vertonghen
LB21Timothy Castagne
CM18Amadou OnanaYellow card 29'downward-facing red arrow 60'
CM6Axel Witsel
RW7Kevin De Bruyne
AM10Eden Hazard (c)downward-facing red arrow 60'
LW16Thorgan Hazarddownward-facing red arrow 75'
CF23Michy Batshuayidownward-facing red arrow 75'
Substitutions:
MF8Youri Tielemansupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW14Dries Mertensupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW22Charles De Ketelaereupward-facing green arrow 75'
FW17Leandro Trossardupward-facing green arrow 75'
FW9Romelu Lukakuupward-facing green arrow 81'
Manager:
Spain Roberto Martínez
GK12Munir Mohamedi
RB2Achraf Hakimidownward-facing red arrow 68'
CB5Nayef Aguerd
CB6Romain Saïss (c)
LB3Noussair Mazraoui
DM4Sofyan Amrabat
CM8Azzedine Ounahidownward-facing red arrow 78'
CM15Selim Amallahdownward-facing red arrow 68'
RF7Hakim Ziyech
CF19Youssef En-Nesyridownward-facing red arrow 73'
LF17Sofiane Boufaldownward-facing red arrow 73'
Substitutions:
FW11Abdelhamid SabiriYellow card 90+5'upward-facing green arrow 68'
DF25Yahia Attiyat Allahupward-facing green arrow 68'
MF14Zakaria Aboukhlalupward-facing green arrow 73'
FW9Abderrazak Hamdallahupward-facing green arrow 73'
DF18Jawad El Yamiqupward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Walid Regragui

Man of the Match:
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)[16]

Assistant referees:
Alberto Morín (Mexico)
Miguel Hernández (Mexico)
Fourth official:
Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
Reserve assistant referee:
Neuza Back (Brazil)
Video assistant referee:
Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)
Armando Villarreal (United States)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Kyle Atkins (United States)

Croatia vs Canada

The teams had never met before.

Alphonso Davies scored Canada's first-ever World Cup goal in the second minute, with his header off a cross from Tajon Buchanan on the right giving Canada the lead.[17] His effort was the fastest goal in the tournament at 68 seconds.[18] Andrej Kramarić and Marko Livaja would strike back before half-time for Croatia to put them into 2–1 lead. Kramarić would score again in the second period before Lovro Majer took advantage of a miscontrolled ball by Kamal Miller in the dying moments of the match to complete a 4–1 Croatian victory that sealed Canada's elimination from the tournament. It was also Canada's largest ever defeat in a World Cup match.[19]

The match was marred by xenophobic anti-Serb chants made by a group Croatian fans against Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, an ethnic Croatian Serb who fled Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence, along with their display of a modified John Deere banner making a reference to Operation Storm, a military operation that ended the war and abolished the separatist proto-state Republic of Serbian Krajina, which resulted in a mass exodus and war crimes against number of Krajina's Serb civilians.[20]

Croatia 4–1 Canada
Report
Croatia
Canada
GK1Dominik Livaković
RB22Josip Juranović
CB6Dejan LovrenYellow card 56'
CB20Joško Gvardiol
LB19Borna Sosa
DM11Marcelo Brozović
CM10Luka Modrić (c)Yellow card 85'downward-facing red arrow 86'
CM8Mateo Kovačićdownward-facing red arrow 86'
RF14Marko Livajadownward-facing red arrow 60'
CF9Andrej Kramarićdownward-facing red arrow 72'
LF4Ivan Perišićdownward-facing red arrow 86'
Substitutions:
FW16Bruno Petkovićupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF13Nikola Vlašićupward-facing green arrow 72'
FW18Mislav Oršićupward-facing green arrow 86'
MF7Lovro Majerupward-facing green arrow 86'
MF15Mario Pašalićupward-facing green arrow 86'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić
GK18Milan Borjan
CB2Alistair Johnston
CB5Steven Vitória
CB4Kamal MillerYellow card 85'
RM22Richie Laryeadownward-facing red arrow 62'
CM13Atiba Hutchinson (c)downward-facing red arrow 72'
CM7Stephen Eustáquiodownward-facing red arrow 46'
LM19Alphonso Davies
RF11Tajon BuchananYellow card 52'
CF17Cyle Larindownward-facing red arrow 46'
LF20Jonathan Daviddownward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
MF21Jonathan Osorioupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF15Ismaël Konéupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF10Junior Hoilettupward-facing green arrow 62'
FW9Lucas Cavalliniupward-facing green arrow 72'
DF3Sam Adekugbeupward-facing green arrow 72'
Manager:
England John Herdman

Man of the Match:
Andrej Kramarić (Croatia)[21]

Assistant referees:
Nicolás Taran (Uruguay)
Martín Soppi (Uruguay)
Fourth official:
Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Reserve assistant referee:
Jesús Sánchez (Peru)
Video assistant referee:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Leodán González (Uruguay)
Gabriel Chade (Argentina)
Julio Bascuñán (Chile)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Diego Bonfá (Argentina)

Croatia vs Belgium

The teams had previously faced each other eight times, most recently in 2021, a 1–0 win for Belgium in a friendly.

The first half finished goalless, with the most noticeable incident coming when Croatia was awarded a penalty following a foul by Yannick Carrasco on Andrej Kramarić, before being cancelled due to the VAR deeming Dejan Lovren marginally offside in the buildup to the call. Belgium, at this point needing a victory to avoid elimination, would bring on record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku for the second period, marking his return to action following a spell out due to injury. Lukaku missed several notable chances to score, including a strike that hit the inside of the post, as Belgium was unable to capitalize on their opportunities and succumbed to a 0–0 draw, confirming their group stage exit.[22]

Croatia 0–0 Belgium
Report
Croatia
Belgium
GK1Dominik Livaković
RB22Josip Juranović
CB6Dejan Lovren
CB20Joško Gvardiol
LB19Borna Sosa
DM11Marcelo Brozović
CM10Luka Modrić (c)
CM8Mateo Kovačićdownward-facing red arrow 90+2'
RF9Andrej Kramarićdownward-facing red arrow 64'
CF14Marko Livajadownward-facing red arrow 64'
LF4Ivan Perišić
Substitutions:
FW16Bruno Petkovićupward-facing green arrow 64'
MF15Mario Pašalićupward-facing green arrow 64'
MF7Lovro Majerupward-facing green arrow 90+2'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić
GK1Thibaut Courtois
RB15Thomas Meunierdownward-facing red arrow 87'
CB2Toby Alderweireld
CB5Jan Vertonghen
LB21Timothy Castagne
CM19Leander DendonckerYellow card 67'downward-facing red arrow 72'
CM6Axel Witsel
RW7Kevin De Bruyne (c)
AM14Dries Mertensdownward-facing red arrow 46'
LW11Yannick Carrascodownward-facing red arrow 72'
CF17Leandro Trossarddownward-facing red arrow 59'
Substitutions:
FW9Romelu Lukakuupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF16Thorgan Hazardupward-facing green arrow 59'
FW25Jérémy Dokuupward-facing green arrow 72'
MF8Youri Tielemansupward-facing green arrow 72'
FW10Eden Hazardupward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Spain Roberto Martínez

Man of the Match:
Luka Modrić (Croatia)[23]

Assistant referees:
Gary Beswick (England)
Adam Nunn (England)
Fourth official:
István Kovács (Romania)
Reserve assistant referee:
Mihai Artene (Romania)
Video assistant referee:
Marco Fritz (Germany)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
Rafael Foltyn (Germany)
Benoit Millot (France)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Jan Seidel (Germany)

Canada vs Morocco

The teams had previously faced each other three times, most recently in 2016, a friendly won 4–0 by Morocco.

Morocco took an early lead through Hakim Ziyech after a misplaced pass by Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan allowed him to score with a chip over the goalkeeper from outside the penalty area. They doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute with a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri when he ran on to a pass to score with a low finish to the right corner of the net from the right. In the final few minutes of the first half, Canada pulled a goal back when Nayef Aguerd diverted a low cross in from Sam Adekugbe on the left into his own net, marking the first own goal of the tournament as well as the first conceded by Morocco. Although Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson's header from a corner would strike the bar and the goal line in the second half, Morocco held on to win the match 2–1.[24]

Morocco thus finished top of Group F with seven points, reaching the knockout stage for a second time and a first since 1986. Canada, meanwhile, joined hosts Qatar as the only teams to exit the tournament without a single point, and remained winless in their World Cup history, adding on to the three defeats they suffered in 1986.

Canada 1–2 Morocco
Report
Attendance: 43,102
Canada
Morocco
GK18Milan Borjan (c)
RB2Alistair Johnston
CB5Steven VitóriaYellow card 84'
CB4Kamal Miller
LB3Sam AdekugbeYellow card 45+2'downward-facing red arrow 60'
RM19Alphonso Davies
CM21Jonathan OsorioYellow card 26'downward-facing red arrow 65'
CM14Mark-Anthony Kayedownward-facing red arrow 60'
LM11Tajon Buchanan
SS10Junior HoilettYellow card 7'downward-facing red arrow 76'
CF17Cyle Larindownward-facing red arrow 60'
Substitutions:
FW20Jonathan Davidupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF13Atiba Hutchinsonupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF15Ismaël Konéupward-facing green arrow 60'
DF22Richie Laryeaupward-facing green arrow 65'
MF24David Wotherspoonupward-facing green arrow 76'
Manager:
England John Herdman
GK1Yassine Bounou
RB2Achraf Hakimidownward-facing red arrow 85'
CB5Nayef Aguerd
CB6Romain Saïss (c)
LB3Noussair Mazraoui
DM4Sofyan Amrabat
CM8Azzedine Ounahidownward-facing red arrow 76'
CM11Abdelhamid Sabiridownward-facing red arrow 65'
RF7Hakim Ziyechdownward-facing red arrow 76'
CF19Youssef En-Nesyri
LF17Sofiane Boufaldownward-facing red arrow 65'
Substitutions:
MF14Zakaria Aboukhlalupward-facing green arrow 65'
MF15Selim Amallahupward-facing green arrow 65'
FW9Abderrazak Hamdallahupward-facing green arrow 76'
DF18Jawad El Yamiqupward-facing green arrow 76'
MF26Yahya Jabraneupward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
Walid Regragui

Man of the Match:
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)[25]

Assistant referees:
Rodrigo Figueiredo (Brazil)
Danilo Simon Manis (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
Reserve assistant referee:
Michael Orué (Peru)
Video assistant referee:
Julio Bascuñán (Chile)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Juan Martínez Munuera (Spain)
Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar (Spain)
Leodan Gonzalez (Uruguay)
Stand-by assistant video assistant referee:
Pau Cebrián Devís (Spain)

Discipline

Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers if teams' overall and head-to-head records were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:[2]

  • first yellow card: −1 point;
  • indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
  • direct red card: −4 points;
  • yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;

Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.

Team Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Points
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card
 Croatia 2 −2
 Morocco 1 1 −2
 Belgium 3 1 1 −5
 Canada 2 2 4 −8

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Regulations – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  3. "World Cup: Croatia beat Morocco to seal third-place finish". BBC Sport. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  4. "The route to the World Cup final at Qatar 2022". FIFA. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  5. "No. 2 Belgium fail to reach knockout stage at 2022 World Cup". Sportsnet.ca. Associated Press. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  6. "Men's Ranking". FIFA. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  7. "Morocco 0 Croatia 0". BBC Sport. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  8. "Deadlock at Al Bayt as Morocco hold Croatia". FIFA. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  9. @DAZN_CA (27 March 2022). "John Herdman becomes the first manager to lead both women's and men's national teams of a nation to World Cup qualification" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 April 2022 via Twitter.
  10. "Belgium run ragged by Canada but Michy Batshuayi strikes to grab victory". The Guardian. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  11. "Belgium edge courageous Canadians". FIFA. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  12. "World Cup 2022 – Belgium 0–2 Morocco: Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal power Morocco to shock victory". Sky Sports. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  13. "Belgium 0 Morocco 2:As it happened". The Guardian. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  14. "Twelve detained after Belgium-Morocco World Cup riots in Brussels". Euractiv. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  15. "Riots erupt in Brussels after Morocco stun Belgium at World Cup". The 42. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  16. "Budweiser Player of the Match". FIFA. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  17. "Croatia 4 Canada 1:As it happened". The Guardian. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  18. "Alphonso Davies and the fastest World Cup goals". FIFA. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  19. Athletic, The. "Croatia vs Canada live updates". The Athletic. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  20. "Croatian fans target Borjan's refugee history during FIFA World Cup match against Canada". Daily Hive. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  21. "Davies breaks Canada duck but Croatia claim victory". FIFA. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  22. "Croatia 0-0 Belgium: Romelu Lukaku misses big chances as Roberto Martinez's 'golden generation' knocked out and Croatia reach last 16". Sky Sports. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  23. "Belgium out after Croatia stalemate". FIFA. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  24. "Canada 1 Morocco 2". BBC Sport. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  25. "Morocco edge Canada to win Group F". FIFA. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
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