Yassine Bounou did not start Morocco's crucial clash with Belgium on Sunday afternoon.Not only is that a strange fact considering that the Sevilla shot-stopper is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but it's especially bizarre considering that he was just seconds away from taking to the pitch.The Moroccan number one, commonly nicknamed 'Bono', had started his nation's opening World Cup match against Croatia and looked to continue between the sticks at the Al Thumama Stadium this weekend.
What happened to Bono vs Belgium?
After all, Bono was named in Morocco's starting XI, walked out onto the pitch with his teammates and sang the national anthem, only to end up not starting the game.
In the end, it was Munir Mohand Mohamedi who pulled on the gloves for the North African nation with many fans bewildered by the last-minute nature of Morocco's goalkeeping switch.
In fact, according to Goal, it took the BBC commentators 38 minutes to realise that Bono wasn't actually playing in the game with Guy Mowbray misnaming Mohamedi on multiple occasions.
Fans are familiar with instances where players have had to pull out of matches in the warm-up, but it's very unique to see a case where someone actually goes through all the pre-game formalities before pulling the plug.
Why did Bono pull out of Morocco vs Belgium?
Which, of course, only leaves one question: why did Bono pull out of the game at the last minute?
Well, there are conflicting reports at the time of writing, but the moral of the story is that the 31-year-old wasn't feeling very well and came to the conclusion just before kick-off that he wasn't fit to play.
Goal notes that the BBC made reference to the fact that Bono was complaining about an issue with his eyesight before kick-off.
Meanwhile, L'Equipe are reporting that Bono was experiencing dizziness.
Video: What happened to Bono vs Belgium?
The nature of these reports seem to be substantiated to a certain extent by images spreading around social media that showed the Sevilla hero looking uncomfortable mere minutes before the first whistle.
One particularly concerning image showed Bono bending forwards with his hands on his knees as he lined up alongside his teammates, clearly in a state of discomfort.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 27: Morocco players line up for the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Belgium and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
However, regardless of the circumstances of Bono's unexpected departure from the Morocco XI, everyone at GIVEMESPORT extends our best wishes to him and hope that whatever difficulties he's experiencing pass as soon as possible.
What happened in Morocco vs Belgium?
Nevertheless, despite the shock of switching goalkeepers at the very last moment, Morocco still rose to the occasion with a fantastic 2-0 over the Belgians.
In a result that, married to their solid 0-0 draw with Croatia, confirms them as one of the dark horses of Qatar 2022, The Atlas Lions snatched all three points courtesy of second-half goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Sabiri broke the deadlock on 73 minutes when an uncharacteristic error from Thibaut Courtois allowed his free-kick to squirm into the net, before Aboukhlal sparked scenes of delirium in stoppage time with a close-range finish.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group F - Belgium v Morocco - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 27, 2022 Morocco players celebrate after Zakaria Aboukhlal scores their second goal REUTERS/Matthew Childs
With last-minute addition Mohamedi keeping a clean sheet at the other end, Morocco duly took control of Group F on four points as we await Croatia's meeting with Canada.
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