Morocco Stun Favorites Belgium To Top Group F, Costa Rica Beat Japan

Morocco stunned the world as they shot to the top of Group F with a remarkable 2-0 victory over Belgium at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

This is only Morocco's third ever win at a FIFA World Cup and it came in fine style against the second ranked team in the world.

It was a very deserved win for the North Africans who dominated the match and now have not conceded a goal in seven straight games.

Morocco sit at the top of the group with 4 points after an opening day draw against Croatia, with the latter taking on Canada later in the day.

Walid Regragui only took charge of Morocco in September and this is only his sixth game in charge and Morocco have kept clean sheets in all six games.

Abdelhamid Sabiri gave them the lead in the 73rd minute from a direct free-kick that crept all the way in past Thibaut Courtois, the first one of the tournament.

Roberto Martinez made changes to his side in the desperate search for an equalizer but even the inclusion of Romelu Lukaku did not do much for Belgium.

Opportunities were rare for them throughout the game with Eden Hazard coming close on two occasions but Moroccan goalkeeper Munir was up to the task.

Kevin De Bruyne took over the captains armband after Hazard was withdrawn but the Man City midfielder found it hard to find his usual creative spark.

The fourth official signaled for 5 minutes to be added on and two minutes into stoppage time, the Atlas Lions made it 2-0 to seal an unbelievable 3 points for them.

It was just one long ball and then a lovely bit of skill from Hakim Ziyech before he found Zakaria Aboukhlal who smashed it into the roof of the net.

In the other game played earlier on the day, Japan were stunned as they went down 1-0 to lowly-ranked Costa Rica at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.

Japan failed to take another step towards the World Cup knockout rounds as Keysher Fuller's late goal earned Costa Rica a smash-and-grab Group E victory.

Following their shock win over Germany, Japan were frustrated by a tight defensive unit, before Fuller struck with Costa Rica's first shot on target at the tournament.

The result leaves both teams on three points after two games, with Spain - who still top the group on goal difference - facing Germany later on Sunday