Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou MISSING after being named in Belgium clash line-up and singing the national anthem… as BBC takes 38 MINUTES to notice he was replaced by Munir Mohamedi due to an eye problem!
- Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou disappeared before kick-off
- Morocco stunned Belgium with a 2-0 win in Sunday afternoon’s Group F
- Sevilla goalkeeper Bounou was chosen to start and sang the national anthem
- But was substituted second before kick-off as Munir Mohamedi replaced him
- BBC commentators were left in confusion as they failed to realize the change
World Cup confusion reigned in Belgium’s clash with Morocco on Sunday as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou disappeared moments before kick-off in Qatar.
The African nation were hoping to wrap up their first World Cup win with Bounou between the sticks after playing out a 0-0 draw with Croatia last time out.
The 31-year-old La Liga goalkeeper is first choice for Morocco and while he appeared on the pitch for the national anthem he was nowhere to be found at kick-off, with his replacement Munir Mohamedi making instead a rare start between the sticks. .
Bounou was named in the starting lineup and warmed up with his teammates on the pitch but was mysteriously replaced in the lineup.
Reserve keeper Mohamedi had just moments to prepare against Belgium, with his sudden appearance surprising BBC commentators, who had not realized the switch before the start of the proceedings inside the club. Al Thumama stadium.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (centre) disappeared before kick-off against Belgium
Bounou was replaced by Moroccan reserve shot-stopper Munir Mohand (centre) for the clash
No one in the BBC commentary team had noticed the sudden change due to it being made moments before kick-off, meaning the fourth official did not use his board to show that there had been an exchange.
Match commentator Guy Mowbray remained red-faced after the debacle as he apologized on air for the error before the teams broke for half-time.
The BBC veteran said: “One thing I should have noticed earlier, I apologize for that, was a change in focus for Morocco at the start.” Do you remember at the beginning when we saw the guard running? Having seen his number, it is number 12, El Kajoui, in goal. Mounir El Kajoui.
Bounou (second from left) was present for the pre-match Moroccan national anthem
Bounou reportedly claimed he had a problem with his eyes minutes before kick-off
“I can see his number now. Looks like Bounou to me. We’re trying to find out what happened to him.
“I think he may have been sick just before the game and that’s why there was this little delay when we were waiting for the Morocco team photo and then Eden Hazard’s handshake. He keeps a clean sheet Mine is ruined in every way.
They finally realized they had the wrong keeper after 38 minutes which saw Belgium stunned by Morocco in a 2-0 loss.
It was then revealed at half-time that the last-minute change had been made after Sevilla keeper Bounou let head coach Walid Regragui know he had an eye problem.
Bounou (blue) featured in Morocco’s opening World Cup draw against Croatia
Munir (blue) produced a commendable performance against Belgium after being powered off
An official statement from the Moroccan FA announced the squad change, saying: “Munir El Kajoui replaces Yassine Bounou for this match against Belgium.”
Bassou’s disappearance is one of the strangest moments of the World Cup as social media joked that the experienced goalkeeper injured himself while singing the national anthem.
