Riots broke out in many Belgian and Dutch cities after Morocco’s 2-0 upset victory over Belgium at the World Cup game Sunday. Rioters have started fires and pelted cars with bricks in Brussels.

Morocco’s win was a major upset at the tournament and was enthusiastically celebrated by fans with Moroccan immigrant roots in several Belgian and Dutch cities Sunday evening.

Also Read | Why Yassine Bounou was replaced by Munir Mohand Mohamedi

Police detained around a dozen people after they deployed water cannons and use tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels and eight more in the Northern city of Antwerp. Two police officials were injured in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. An uneasy calm had returned to most of the cities by late evening Sunday, according to a report by Associated Press.

Also Read | Who is Yassine Bounou, Morocco keeper substituted before kick-off against Belgium?

Dozens of rioters smashed shop windows, damaged and torched cars, set vehicles on fire, and pelted stones and bricks. Police moved in after one person suffered facial injuries, said Brussels police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere.

Also Read | Who is César Arturo Ramos, referee for Belgium vs. Morocco Group F match?

Even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety”, Brussels police said in a statement.

Brussels mayor Philippe Close requested people to stay away from the city center and said authorities were doing their utmost to maintain order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be interrupted by police orders.

Also Read | Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois bangs dugout wall after loss vs Morocco in FIFA World Cup, spectator giggles: Watch

“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.

Also Read | Did Leroy Sane have a chance to seal a win for Germany vs Spain in FIFA World Cup 2022 ? Fans speculate

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