Riots have broken out in Brussels, the capital of Belgium after the European country lost to Morocco in the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Rioters have started fires and pelted cars with bricks in Brussels following Belgium’s shock 2-0 loss to Morocco, according to Daily Mail.
Police have to seal off parts of the city centre, deployed water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse crowds as violence broke out following the match.
Dozens of rioters set steps on fire and pelted cars with bricks, before police moved in when one person suffered facial injuries, according to a police spokesperson.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close urged soccer fans to stay away from the city centre and said authorities were doing their utmost to keep order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be interrupted on police orders.
Morocco’s victory was a major upset at the tournament and was enthusiastically celebrated by fans with Moroccan immigrant roots in many Belgian cities.
It was not immediately clear how many people were detained during the disturbances.
“I strongly condemn the incidents that occurred this afternoon.
“The police have already acted harshly. So I advise supporters not to come to the centre. The police are doing everything they can to maintain public order,” the mayor said.
Morocco earned the historic win as second-half goals from substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal were enough to defeat Belgium at Al Thumama Stadium.
The Moroccans thought they had taken the lead in the first half, only for Hakim Ziyech’s whipped free-kick strike to be ruled out for offside due to an infringement from Romain Saiss.
But the North Africans did make the breakthrough in somewhat similar circumstances in the 73rd minute, according to a report by RT.
Sabiri curled a free-kick into the box which evaded everyone, including Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Saiss was again loitering in the vicinity of the Belgian goalie, although this time he was onside and the goal counted.
Belgium were caught cold in stoppage time when Ziyech latched upon a loose ball, cutting it back for substitute Aboukhlal to steer a brilliant effort beyond Courtois and into the top corner at the near post.
Aboukhlal sealed the win for Morocco in the 93rd minute.
In more immediate terms, it puts the Moroccan team top of the Group F standings on four points from two games, following their creditable 0-0 opening draw with Croatia.