Morocco produced another dramatic World Cup penalty shootout heroics to eliminate the Netherlands 3-2 on spot-kicks after a pulsating 1-1 draw followi
Morocco produced another dramatic World Cup penalty shootout heroics to eliminate the Netherlands 3-2 on spot-kicks after a pulsating 1-1 draw following extra time at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Monday night, sending the Dutch crashing out in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The result marks the second time in their history that Morocco have overcome a major European power on penalties at the World Cup, four years after their famous victory over Spain in Qatar. The Atlas Lions will now face co-hosts Canada in the last 16 in Houston on Saturday, a side they previously beat 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
The contest, between two of the highest-ranked sides in the Round of 32, lived up to its billing. Morocco created the better chances in a fiercely contested first half, with Neil El Aynaoui glancing an Achraf Hakimi corner goalward only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Verbruggen was called into action again moments later, tipping a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar. The half also saw tempers flare, with Morocco’s Ismael Saibari fortunate to escape sanction after catching Jan Paul van Hecke with an elbow.
The Dutch enjoyed greater control of possession after the break but struggled to fashion clear openings until Ronald Koeman’s changes paid dividends. Substitute Wout Weghorst flicked on a long ball to release Crysencio Summerville, who crossed for Cody Gakpo to hurl himself at the ball and give the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute, with the Liverpool forward emotionally marking the goal following the recent loss of his and partner Noa van der Bij’s child.
Virgil van Dijk marshalled the Dutch defence superbly as the Netherlands appeared to be closing out victory, but Morocco refused to relent. Issa Diop rescued his side with a stoppage-time header in the first minute of added time to send the match into extra time.
The additional 30 minutes proved tense but largely goalless, though Morocco squandered a glorious chance when Soufiane Rahimi was denied by a sharp save from Verbruggen at point-blank range in the 96th minute. With neither side able to find a winner, the tie went to penalties.
Morocco missed their first kick when El Aynaoui struck the bar, but recovered to take control of the shootout. Bounou produced the decisive save, denying Summerville’s effort with his left hand to leave the shootout level at 2-2 after four rounds each. Saibari then stepped up and rolled a composed penalty into the bottom corner past a wrong-footed Verbruggen to seal a 3-2 shootout win and send Morocco through.
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised his side’s resilience after the match, saying the team had given everything on the field and credited fortune for Rahimi’s goal-saving opportunity going their way. Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, whose tactical switch to a back five came under scrutiny after his side surrendered possession in the second half, was non-committal when asked about his future in the role, telling reporters the matter would be addressed in the days ahead.
The Netherlands, who had scored 10 goals in the group stage including a 5-1 win over Sweden, suffer their earliest World Cup exit in years, having reached at least the Round of 16 in their previous 11 World Cup appearances, including a quarter-final run in Qatar in 2022. Morocco’s victory continues a remarkable run of knockout-stage pedigree for the Atlas Lions, who reached the semi-finals of the last edition as the first African nation to do so.
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