Johannesburg: North African nations Morocco and Tunisia took contrasting routes as they qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Saturday.
Morocco scored twice within five minutes through Nabil Dirar and Medhi Benatia during the opening half to triumph 2-0 in the Ivory Coast and win Group C.
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The Atlas Lions are going back to the tournament for the first time since 1998 after finishing with 12 points, having not conceded a goal during the six-match group campaign.
Tunisia could not break down neighbours Libya in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis and had to settle for a 0-0 draw which was just enough to see them first over the finishing line. Unbeaten Tunisia collected 14 points to book their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
It was to prove a costly miss for the home side, who had to win after beginning the match one point behind the Moroccan team coached by former Ivorian handler, Frenchman Herve Renard.
The first blow came when an intended cross from Dirar went over an Ivorian defender and a Moroccan attacker and slipped past goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo into the far corner.
Rattled Ivory Coast fell further behind as they failed to cut off a corner and Juventus defender Benatia struck a first-time shot into the net.
Belgian coach Marc Wilmots tried to revive the lackluster Ivorians by introducing Ghislain Konan at half-time and Maxwel Cornet and veteran Salomon Kalou during the second half.
But Morocco comfortably contained the hosts in a match that threatened to boil over at times with Dirar and Crystal Palace flyer Wilfried Zaha wrestling each other to the ground.
Tunisia dominated possession at the Stade Olympique, but unpredictable Libya defended resolutely, creating an increasingly tense atmosphere.
Had Tunisia lost, they would have ceded top place to DR Congo, who finished strongly to overcome Guinea 3-1 at the Stade des Martyrs.
Celebrations turn violent
Brussels: Celebrations turned violent in central Brussels, minutes after the qualification of the Moroccan national football team for the next World Cup in Russia, police told Belga news agency. Riot police Saturday were sent out to control a crowd of about 300 people, at one point firing water canon at revelers. At least one car was burned during the incidents, police said. Videos posted on social media showed tense scenes as riot police tried to block off streets to the fans as other fans chanted joyfully from the steps of the Bourse stock exchange building, a usual spot sports celebration.
Ireland hold Denmark
Copenhagen The Republic of Ireland and Denmark played out a drab goalless draw in the first leg of their World Cup play-off here, Saturday.
The closest either side came to a goal was when Pione Sisto fired wide in the first half for the hosts, while Yussuf Poulsen saw a 90th-minute header saved by Darren Randolph.
Both sides will be satisfied with the result, as Martin O’Neill’s Irish now know victory in Dublin Tuesday would secure a first World Cup appearance since 2002, but an away goal for the Danes could prove decisive after this clean sheet.
“A draw has always got to be seen as a positive result. Although we could have done with scoring an away goal,” Ireland midfielder Harry Arter told Sky Sports.
“It (the World Cup) feels a bit closer than it did before the game. If before the campaign, we’d have been offered a one-off game against Denmark to qualify for the World Cup, we’d have bitten off your hands for it.”
agence france-presse
