Group F of the 2022 World Cup has provided plenty of drama and a huge upset with Belgium exiting, as Morocco seal an unlikely first-placed finish and Croatia join them in the last 16.<\/b><\/p>\n
It was a frantic final matchday in the group, which contained two nations who finished in the final four at the previous World Cup — but only one has managed to sneak into the next phase, with Croatia drawing 0-0 against Belgium in their concluding game to extend their stay in Qatar.<\/p>\n
Morocco have been one of the standout performers at this World Cup after keeping clean sheets against Croatia and Belgium, while securing a shock 2-0 result against the latter. They finished up in style — and first<\/em><\/strong> — against Canada, winning 2-1 despite a late resurgence from the eliminated nation.<\/p>\n\n All eyes, though, were on the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium as Belgium and Croatia slogged in out in a winner-takes-all contest. Zlatko Dalic’s side knew they only needed a result to guarantee their progression, and that is exactly what they got, but Belgium certainly gave it a good go in the second half.<\/p>\n After a stagnant a rather timid opening 45 minutes, Roberto Martinez rolled the dice at half-time and introduced the nation’s all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku. The Inter forward changed the dynamic, with Belgium looking a different attacking beast and creating plenty of openings.<\/p>\n Lukaku was guilty of squandering four<\/em> gilt-edged opportunities during his time on the field. His first was a right-footed effort that cannoned off the post after a neat save from Dominik Livakovic, before he inexplicably headed over the bar from just a few yards less than two minutes later.<\/p>\n 46' Lukaku is subbed on 0.89 xG in the space of 16 minutes. ?#FIFAWorldCup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J7UXT0iw61<\/a><\/p>\n — Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 1, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
49' Shot saved
60' Hits the post
62' Misses header<\/p>\n