WORLD CUP 2022
Group F World Cup 2022 final standings: Who qualified for the round of 16 and who is out?
Croatia, Morocco and Belgium fought it out for the top two places in Group F; who qualified for the round of 16?
World Cup Group F came to a conclusion on Thursday as Croatia, Morocco and Belgium battled for a place in the round of 16. The European nations had very recent experience of going deep in the World Cup but for the North Africans, it was an opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time since 1986.
Croatia and Morocco in pole position in Group F going into matchday three
Morocco headed into matchday three as firm favourites to make it through to the round of 16 given that their direct rivals for a top-two spot, Croatia and Belgium, were playing each other. A draw against already-eliminated Canada would be enough for the Atlas Lions to make it through, although even a defeat would see them qualify if the Croats defeated the Belgians, rated as the second best team in the world by the FIFA world rankings.
After an opening draw against the Moroccans, Croatia turned on the style in their second game against Canada, which meant they also need just a point to be sure of finishing above the Red Devils, who went into matchday three one point behind in third spot. How would things unfold?
Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri gave Morocco an early 2-0 lead and although an own goal from Nayef Aguerd reduced Canadian arrears, Walid Regragui’s men held on in a goalless second half to end up on top of Group F.
After a goalless first half, things livened up considerably after half-time in Croatia vs Belgium. Thibaut Courtois was forced into making a number of saves as the Croats looked to finish off their opponents, while Romelu Lukaku missed a series of guilt-edged chances from close range for Belgium, one of which hit the post. A tense final few minutes ensued with the Belgians piling on the pressure but the goal they needed to eliminate Croatia never materialised.
Who has qualified for the round of 16 from World Cup Group E?
- Morocco go through as Group F winners and are top seeds in the round of 16
- Croatia go through as Group F runners-up but are unseeded in the round of 16
Who will Morocco and Croatia play in the round of 16?
Group F winners Morocco will face the runners-up of Group E (Spain/Japan/Costa Rica/Germany) at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday, 6 December 2022 (kick-off at 10am ET).
Group F runners-up Croatia will play the winners of Group E (Spain/Japan/Costa Rica/Germany) at Al-Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrahon Monday, 5 December 2022 (kick-off at 10am ET).