In a Day of Upsets, Morocco Topples Belgium and Costa Rica Stuns Japan
There was no time to rest for the world’s top two teams as Morocco and Costa Rica faced off in the opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The top seeds Morocco played an intense yet scrappy game against a high-quality Belgium side with a solid defense and an attacking threat from the right wing.
The game started with a slight advantage for the visitors. Costa Rica seemed to be more comfortable playing with the ball in open spaces and were able to create a number of openings.
Costa Rica had the better of the possession early in the game, and while they struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half, Belgium were unable to test goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Morocco controlled possession, and by the 55th minute the hosts had more than doubled their starting line-up with captain Eusterson. With seven minutes left in the first half, they were still up a goal thanks to a superb corner kick by Ismail El-Badry.
Morocco continued to create chances in the second half, and with four minutes left they had taken the lead thanks to a penalty kick taken by Khelil Belliat.
The game entered a strange period for both teams until Costa Rica’s late rally was the highlight of the match.
Morocco played the last 5 minutes of the game with the ball and looked to stretch the game toward a tie.
Belgium were able to take the lead in the 67th minute when a free kick by Wilfred Ndidi hit the post and bounced out of play, but it was not enough to take the lead and Costa Rica came out the same way and were able to win the game 1-2.
The two sides will play the second game of the match on Sunday against each other, and we hope that this game will create a tense atmosphere for both teams in the second match.
Our next match will be Italy vs England, a match that will be broadcasted live from the Parc des Prin
