PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard produce dreadful showings but Hakim Ziyech shines

Qatar 2022 is fast-becoming the World Cup of upsets and we witnessed yet another on Sunday at the Al-Thumama Stadium as Morocco produced a memorable 2-0 win over Belgium.

In truth, it was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Atlas Lions against an underwhelming Belgium side that looked every-inch the team that Kevin de Bruyne said had passed their best when he spoke ahead of the game.

Abdelhamid Sabiri deceived Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a free-kick to open the scoring, before another substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal added a second late-on to secure the victory. 

Morocco secured a memorable World Cup upset by defeating Belgium 2-0 on Sunday

It was an embarrassing defeat for Roberto Martinez’s side who were far from their best 

Following the enthralling clash, Sportsmail has rated both teams’ players. 

Belgium (4-2-3-1)

Thibaut Courtois – A disastrous performance from the Real Madrid stopper. He was caught out for the disallowed Ziyech goal before making an even worse error for Sabiri’s opener, as he was beaten at his near post. 4

Thibaut Courtois struggled and was caught out for Abdelhamid Sabiri’s opening goal

Thomas Meunier – Endured a torrid time on the right, consistently tormented by Boufal before he was subbed for Lukaku late-on. 5

Toby Alderweireld – Looked every inch the 33-year-old in this performance as he struggled to deal with Morocco’s skilful front three. 5

Jan Vertonghen – Him and Alderweireld were once the Premier League’s best defensive pairing but, like his partner, Vertonghen looked past his best here. 5

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen struggled to deal with Morocco’s attackers throughout

Timothy Castagne – Given the task of dealing with Ziyech by playing at left-back, Castagne contributed in the first 20 minutes when Belgium controlled the game before fading badly. 6

Axel Witsel – Failed to really offer much in a static Red Devils midfield that consistently looked passive and took too many touches in their build-up play. 6 

Amadou Onana – Booked early on but was one of the better Belgium players as he tried to show his physicality before being hooked on the hour mark. 6

Kevin de Bruyne – Tried to get involved in build-up play and looked bright in the first half, but was far from his best – also came under heavy criticism for his pre-game comments. 6.5

Eden Hazard – A shadow of his former self, it is a sad to see how far and how quickly Hazard has fallen from someone who was considered one of the world’s most talented attackers just a few years ago. 5

Belgium captain Eden Hazard was a shadow of his former self during the Group F clash

Thorgan Hazard – Better than his brother – combined well with other attackers in the first half but didn’t do enough. 6.5

Michy Batshuayi – Looked like the forward who struggled with Crystal Palace as he failed to offer any sort of outlet up-front – missed a big chance early on that could have changed the course of the game. 5

Substitutes

Youri Tielemans (on for Onana 60mins) – Struggled to impact the game or show any of his quality after coming on. 6

Dries Mertens (on for E Hazard 60mins) – Forced a good save out of El Kajoui shortly after being introduced but did nowhere near enough. 6

Leandro Trossard (on for T Hazard 74 mins) – Introduced late-on and didn’t have the chance to do much. 6

Charles De Ketelaere (on for Batshuayi 75 mins) – Belgium barely created an opportunity after the AC Milan attacking midfielder came on. 6

Romelu Lukaku (on for Meunier 81 mins) – Looked short of fitness but no doubt offers an outlet up-front that Batshuayi cannot.  6

Morocco (4-1-2-3)

Munir El Kajoui – Brought in with moments to go before kick off for Yassine Bounou, El Kajoui deserves immense credit for his performance which included three sharp saves. 7

Munir El Kajoui adapted brilliantly after being brought into the team moments before kick off

Achraf Hakimi – Battled through a thigh niggle in admirable fashion before being withdrawn as a precaution. 6.5

Nayef Aguerd – The West Ham man dealt with all the quality in Belgium’s attack to restrict them to limited opportunities. 6.5

Romain Saiss – Morocco’s captain was solid at the back and posed a nuisance in attack at set pieces, getting in the way of Courtois for Ziyech’s disallowed goal and then Sabiri’s opener. 6.5

Noussair Mazraoui – A constant thorn in attack and defence at full-back, Mazraoui helped to shackle De Bruyne on Belgium’s right-hand-side. 7

Sofyan Amrabat – Was brilliant at the base of Morocco’s midfield, breaking up attacks and helping to set up his side when they pushed forward. 7.5

Azzedine Ounahi – Tidy and composed alongside Amallah and Amrabat. 6.5

Selim Amallah – Another important part of the Moroccan midfield – was replaced midway through the second half. 6.5

Hakim Ziyech – Showed why Chelsea paid £38m to sign him in 2020 – was a constant threat for Morocco, had a goal ruled out and set up Aboukhlal’s goal. 8

Hakim Ziyech lived up to his role as his country’s talisman and was brilliant all game

Youssef En-Nesyri – Not quite at his best, but kept Vertonghen and Alderweireld busy. 6.5

Sofiane Boufal – Caused Meunier a whole host of problems down Morocco’s left as he showed off his trickery and pace to create several chances for his side. 7

Substitutes

Abdelhamid Sabiri (on for Hakimi 67mins) – Set Morocco on their way to the memorable win with his brilliant free-kick as he whipped it in with pace and out-foxed Courtois. 7

Yahia Attiyat Allah (on for Amallagh 67mins) – Slotted in at the back after coming on and helped to maintain Morocco’s clean sheet. 6

Zakaria Aboukhlal (on for Boufal 72mins) – Secured the victory with a fine finish in injury time, sparking wild celebrations. 7

Zakaria Aboukhlal secured the victory in added time, sparking wild scenes for Morocco

Abderrazak Hamdallah (on for En-Nesryi 72mins) – The experienced forward helped his side see out the win. 6

Jawad El Yamiq (on for Ounahi 78mins) – Brought on to add further defensive resilience and did his job. 6