In the most surprising group result yet, Morocco won a difficult Group F while 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia advanced to the knockout stages at the expense of Belgium.
A 2–1 win for Morocco over Canada sent the Atlas Lions into the knockouts atop the group on seven points while a 0–0 draw between Croatia and Belgium meant the Red Devils are headed home with only four points to show for its trip to Qatar.
Belgium entered the tournament as the No. 2 team in the FIFA world rankings and was one of a handful of World Cup contenders with its golden generation prepared to make one last run at the trophy; but a loss to Morocco and the draw with Croatia sealed its fate.
