After Morocco’s victory over Belgium in the World Cup match in Qatar sparked rioting in Brussels with a car and some electric scooters set on fire, Belgian police detained a dozen people and made one arrest on Sunday.
Numerous locations in the Belgian capital saw riots break out as soccer fans, some of whom were wearing Moroccan flags, fought with riot police while being attacked with water cannons and tear gas.
“Around 7 p.m. calm returned and preventive patrols remain in place in the sectors concerned,” police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere said.
“The rioters used pyrotechnic material, projectiles, sticks, and set fire on the public highway,” the police said. “Also, a journalist was injured in the face by fireworks. It is for these reasons that it was decided to proceed with a police intervention, with the deployment of water cannon and the use of tear gas,” the police said.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions clawed in the first goal through a free-kick that caught Thibaut Courtois off guard in a 2-0 win over Belgium on Sunday in the world cup.
Hakim Ziyech had his goal ruled out in the first half. The Chelsea winger went straight for goal from a free-kick, beating Courtois with a wicked effort at his near post, but Saiss had just mistimed his run as he challenged for Ziyech’s ball in.
However, at the 73rd minute, Sabiri was on hand to beat Courtois in Al Thumama. Morocco took the lead through Sabiri’s brilliant free kick. The Sampdoria midfielder lashed in a low driven shot from the left, past Courtois at his near post, and a late Zakaria Aboukhal strike clinched a 2-0 victory over Belgium.