The experienced Munir El Kajoui was sent out in his place.

The Atlas Lions fans vastly outnumbered their Belgian counterparts and breathed a sigh of relief when the Europeans almost grabbed a fourth-minute lead.

Hazard played in Michy Batshuayi whose effort from a tight angle was kept out by Munir.

Belgium dominated the early exchanges but Morocco did manage a shot at goal when Hakim Ziyech fired over from distance.

MOROCCO GAIN CONFIDENCE

The African side continued to grow into the contest and Selim Amallah, who was born in Belgium, volleyed into the stands before Achraf Hakimi blazed a presentable chance off target.

The crowd erupted in raucous celebration when Ziyech's free-kick flew all the way into the net in first-half injury time.

But the goal was ruled out after a VAR check, as Romain Saiss was leaning just offside and the former Wolves defender was in 'keeper Courtois' eyeline.

Both teams started the second period brightly, with Ziyech shooting straight at Courtois and Hazard bringing a save from Munir at his near post.

Sofiane Boufal almost broke the deadlock in the 57th minute after a jinking run but bent the ball narrowly wide of the far post.

Martinez made two changes on the hour mark, replacing the ineffective Hazard with Dries Mertens and bringing on Youri Tielemans for Amadou Onana in midfield.

Mertens almost made an immediate impact when his strike from just outside the area was beaten away by Munir.

The deadlock was finally broken with 17 minutes remaining as Sabiri's free-kick from near the touchline, much like for Ziyech's ruled out goal, caught out a flat-footed Courtois.

Martinez threw on Romelu Lukaku, expected to miss the game injured, in a desperate attempt to get back into the match.

But Belgium had long since run out of ideas and it was Morocco who scored the second goal of the game.

Brilliant play by Ziyech created space in the area for Aboukhlal to lash the Chelsea winger's pull-back into the roof of the net.

Any tension in the stands was lifted and the Morocco fans were able to celebrate their first World Cup win in 24 years. (AFP)

•PHOTO: Morocco’s forward #14 Zakaria Aboukhlal (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Fadel Senna / AFP)