Morocco Edge Netherlands on Penalties to Reach World Cup Last 16
Late equaliser and penalty shootout heroics send Morocco into the World Cup last 16.
- Morocco won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
- Diop's late header forced extra time.
- Saibari scored the winning penalty.
Morocco booked their place in the World Cup last 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in Monterrey. The victory sets up a knockout clash against Canada in Houston on Saturday.
The North Africans controlled large periods of the match and created several chances, but Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a series of impressive saves while the woodwork also denied Morocco. Against the run of play, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute with a clinical finish after a rapid counter-attack. Gakpo had remained with the squad after announcing the heartbreaking loss of his unborn son just days earlier.
Morocco refused to give up and found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when Issa Diop powered home a header from Chemsdine Taldi’s cross, forcing the contest into extra time. Verbruggen then made another outstanding save to deny substitute Soufiane Rahimi and keep the Dutch in the contest.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match was decided on penalties. The Netherlands missed three of their spot-kicks, while Morocco kept their composure despite Achraf Hakimi striking the post. Ismail Saibari eventually converted the decisive penalty to secure a memorable victory.
The result underlines Morocco’s growing confidence at the tournament after an impressive performance against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Their reward is a place in the last 16, where they will face Canada with a quarter-final berth at stake.
