Morocco’s goalkeeper “Bono” had to pass against Belgium at short notice.Image: imago / uk sports
World Cup 2022
You rarely see such a change. Yassine “Bono” Bounou, the Morocco goalkeeper, warmed up before the game against Belgium, went back into the dressing room, took the field with his team and stood on the field for the anthem.
So far, so normal. But after the anthem things got hectic. No joke: the keeper was “substituted” before kick-off.
“Bono was injured in the closing stages of our first game against Croatia and then ten minutes before today’s game he felt something was wrong,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui after the game.
His number one then came to him and asked him not to take any risks. “And then our substitute goalkeeper did a great job,” said the coach.
ZDF expert Hanno Balitsch observed that Bounou gestured wildly towards the bench during the warm-up. He is said to have suffered from dizziness but still wanted to give it a try. After the anthem, the final decision was made not to play.
Substitute Munir El Kajoui then played a flawless game. The same goes for the rest of the team: The Moroccans surprisingly beat favorites Belgium 2-0. Also thanks to the sovereign appearance of the goalkeeper.
In the last group game against Canada the Moroccans now have the chance to reach the round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time in 36 years. It is not yet certain whether Yassine Bounou will be able to stand in goal again.
Riots in Brussels after the game
While Morocco was celebrating the surprising victory, there were riots in Brussels after the game. the police countered with 100 emergency services and water cannons fans before, who rioted in the city center.
“The police have already intervened vigorously. I therefore advise all fans not to come to the city center,” tweeted Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.
At the request of the police, local transport in Brussels was partially stopped.
(with dpa material)