FIFA World Cup: Morocco fans set garbage bags on fire, clash with police in Brussels after defeat against France in semi-final

Following France's 2-0 victory over Morocco in the second semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Moroccan supporters and police clashed in Brussels on Wednesday.

A group of about 100 Moroccan flag-wrapped supporters threw fireworks and other objects at riot-clad police near Brussels South station. Police retaliated with water cannons and tear gas after they set cardboard cartons and garbage bags on fire.

According to reports, the police detained several fans and said that the clashes were brief and caused no serious damage.

Regarding the World Cup semi-final, France made history by being the first team since Brazil in 2002 to advance to back-to-back finals.

After Kylian Mbappe, who is tied for the tournament lead in scoring, had his shot blocked, Theo Hernandez gave Les Bleus the early advantage with a close-range goal in the fifth minute.

Jawad El Yamiq's shot off the post cost France the chance to double their lead. However, Didier Deschamps' squad lulled Morocco to sleep after Randal Kolo Muani scored his first goal for his country in the 79th minute to advance Les Bleus to the final where they will face Argentina.

Speaking of Morocco, their coach Regragui remarked following the game that his team gave everything they had and that their exploits during their Qatar campaign could not be diminished by the semi-final loss.

"The most important thing is to have shown a good face, to have shown that football in Morocco exists and that we have great supporters. We gave it our best. ... [The loss] doesn't take away everything we gave before," Regragui said.