Belgium, ranked second were considered one of the favourites to win the tournament. Croatia were also a strong side and it seemed unlikely that Canada and Morocco would be able to progress but that failed to take into account just how unpredictable this World Cup was going to be.
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Morocco
Croatia
Roared on by a substantial Moroccan support, the Atlas Lions put in a high energy performance and had the better of a first half of few chances. Croatia came close to taking the lead just before half-time when Vlasic's poke from six yards was saved by Bono in goal with his legs. Seconds after the restart Morocco had their first real chance of the match, Sofiane Boufal launching a fierce drive that was parried by Livakovic who then blocked a follow-up header from Ounahi. In the end a draw was a fair result.
Belgium
Canada
Canada, making their first appearance in the finals in 36 years, played up tempo, attacking football from the off and were awarded a penalty for handball in the 10th minute but the kick was saved by Courtois. Canada had no fewer than ten attempts on goal in the first half-hour but it was Belgium who broke through a minute from half-time. Batshuayi latched onto a perfect long ball and buried it in the far corner. Les Rouges pressed on in the second half, peppering their opponents' goal with shots but Belgium held on to take the points.
Belgium
Morocco
Belgium might have been ranked second in the world but they looked tired and flat against an energetic Moroccan team whose passion resulted in a deserved victory. The first goal came from a free-kick by Sabiri which took a touch off Saiss inches off the goal line. Aboukhlal added another in the second minute of added time.
Croatia
Canada
In an on-field interview after his team's defeat against Belgium, Canada's coach, John Herdman, revealed he had just told his players' "We're going to go and eff Croatia." If the Croatian team needed any further motivation going into this match, Herdman had just provided it. They suffered a cruel and chastening defeat which mean they were eliminated.
Coatia
Belgium
In a sterile first half Belgium created just one chance and Croatia were awarded a penalty but the decision was reversed after a VAR review. The giant striker Romelu Lulaku, who had played just 38 minutes since August, came on for the second half. He hit the post in the 61st minute and then missed a series of chances as the match wore on, his lack of match practice becoming painfully evident. The result put Croatia through but Belgium were out of the competition.
Canada
Morocco
Two early goals put Morrocco firmly in control although an own goal by Nayef Aguerd (40') kept Canada in the game. In the 71st minute Hutchinson headed the ball against the Moroccan bar from a corner, the ball bounced down onto the line and back into the air where Jonathan David was unable to nod it into the goal. The result put Morocco on top of the group.