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Morocco clinch top spot as Belgium crash out

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DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco celebrates after scoring the teams third goal later ruled offside during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco celebrates after scoring the teams third goal later ruled offside during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Morocco booked their spot in the round of 16 as winners of Group F after edging Canada 2-1 in the last round-robin encounter at Al Thumama Stadium.

The Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was born in Canada, returned to the line-up after he was pulled out just before the start of their win over Belgium while Achraf Hakimi shrugged off a thigh problem to start.

The North African side had a perfect start after Hakim Ziyech pounced on a mix up at the back just three minutes in and chipped a shot over goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

Youssef En Nesyri doubled the lead for Morocco midway through the first stanza with a low strike at the near post after a through ball by Hakimi.

However, Canada pulled a goal back just before the interval after Nayef Aguerd turned a cross by Sam Adekugbe into his own net.

The Maple Leafs came very close to grabbing the equaliser with 18 minutes remaining after Atiba Hutchinson guided a close-range header into the crossbar and Alistair Johnston headed the rebound over the top.

Belgium crashed out of the tournament after a goalless draw against Croatia in the last match of Group F at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

The Red Devils made four changes to the side that lost against Morocco, as Leander Dendoncker, Dries Mertens, Leandro Trossard and Yannick Carrasco came to the fore, with Eden Hazard among those dropped.

The game got off to a bright start and Croatia had a big chance to ahead on 22 minutes after they were initially awarded a penalty after Carrasco caught the foot of Andrej Kramaric in the box.

However, the referee overturned his decision after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) spotted an offside in the build-up.

Needing a win to qualify, Roberto Martinez brought on Romelu Lukaku at half-time in place of Martens and Lukaku had two big chances shortly after the hour-mark but hit the post with the net gaping and moments later guided a free header over the crossbar from point-blank range.

Lukaku had two more glaring chance in the dying minutes but could not convert from point-blank range, as Croatia held on to a draw and a point that saw them qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up in the group.

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