Riots in Belgium, Netherlands after Morocco win at Fifa World Cup

Police cars drive along a main boulevard in Brussels as violence broke out during and after Morocco's 2-0 win over Belgium at the Fifa World Cup. Photo / AP

Riots broke out in several Belgian and Dutch cities after Morocco’s 2-0 upset win over Belgium at the World Cup on Sunday.

Police detained about a dozen people after they deployed water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels.

Police cars drive along a main boulevard in Brussels as violence broke out during and after Morocco's 2-0 win over Belgium at the World Cup. Photo / AP

Dozens of rioters overturned and torched cars, set electric scooters on fire and pelted cars with bricks. Police moved in after one person suffered facial injuries, said Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere.

Brussels mayor Philippe Close urged people to stay away from the city centre and said authorities were doing their utmost to keep order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be interrupted on police orders.

A riot police officer walks along a main boulevard in Brussels. Photo / AP

“Those are not fans, they are rioters. Moroccan fans are there to celebrate,” Close said. There were also disturbances in the city of Antwerp and Liege.

“Sad to see how a few individuals abuse a situation to run amok,” said Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden.

Police in the neighbouring Netherlands said violence erupted in the port city of Rotterdam, with riot officers attempting to break up a group of 500 soccer supporters who pelted police with fireworks and glass. Media reported unrest in the capital Amsterdam and The Hague.

Morocco’s victory was a major upset at the World Cup and was enthusiastically celebrated by fans with Moroccan immigrant roots in many Belgian and Dutch cities.