The four-time German champions are close to an early exit again after failing to win their first two matches, while Belgium were beaten 2-0 by a spirited Moroccan team. Canada’s journey ended after suffering a second defeat, while Costa Rica overcame Japan scoring for the first time in Qatar.
The 2-0 upset in Group F play in Doha, Qatar, left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a group-stage exit.
De Bruyne didn’t drive Belgium forward against Morocco, captain Eden Hazard was taken off after an hour, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was probably at fault for the opening goal.
“We haven’t seen the best Belgium yet,” said Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has coached the team for six years. “We haven’t been ourselves.”
Morocco captain Romain Saiss gave his team the lead with a barely noticeable deflection off his hip after a free kick from Abdelhamid Sabiri in the 73rd minute that got under the body of Courtois — for many, the best goalkeeper in the world.
Zakaria Aboukhlal guided a shot into the roof of the net off a pass from Hakim Ziyech in stoppage time to make it 2-0 as Belgium’s defense, boasting more than 300 international appearances but anchored by two players in their mid-30s, was beaten by a speedy 22-year-old forward playing at his first World Cup.
