Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Morocco have become the latest team to advance into the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after they defeated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico on Tuesday.
The Atlas Lions and the Oranje played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, with Issa Diop’s late equaliser cancelling out Cody Gakpo’s opener.
Ismael Saibari then scored the decisive kick to see the African side – semifinalists at the last World Cup – advance to the next round, where they will tackle co-hosts Canada.
After a cautious start from both teams, Morocco were the first to threaten around the 20 minute mark, drawing two excellent saves from Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who kept out a header from Neil En Aynaoui and a powerful drive from Achraf Hakimi.
The Netherlands’ only real chance of the first half arrived in the 44th minute when Micky van de Ven tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area – his effort was well struck, but comfortably saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou.
Morocco started the second half strongly and were inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute, with Hakimi bursting free down the right of the penalty before firing off a powerful shot – his effort beat Verbruggen, but not the crossbar.
Netherlands made a double change after the hydration break in the second half, with Wout Weghorst and Teun Koopmeiners introduced.
Weghorst soon played a key role in the Oranje claiming the lead in the 72nd minute, flicking on a long ball to put Crysencio Summerville in behind the defence – he in turn managed to square for Cody Gakpo, who fired home a low shot just ahead of the scrambling defence for 1-0.
It was an emotional moment for the Liverpool player, who this week suffered the loss of an unborn child.
Morocco looked to be headed for defeat in regulation time, but just as the clock brought up the first minute of stoppage time substitute Chemsdine Talbi fired in an in-swinging cross from the left that was powered home via the head of Issa Diop for 1-1 – sending the match to an extra half hour.
Seven minutes into extra time, the Atlas Lions should have gone ahead when substitute Soufiane Rahimi worked space for a shot on goal, but Verbruggen came up with another outstanding save to keep the score level.
The remainder of extra time passed with Morocco dominating possession, but unable to prise open the Dutch defence – leaving the match to be decided by penalties. Both teams missed two of their first four kicks, before Summerville’s effort was saved by Bounou, allowing Saibari to continue his excellent tournament by dispatching the final kick to seal a 3-2 triumph.
Netherlands (0) (1) 1 (C. Gakpo 72’)
Morocco (0) (1) 1 (I. Diop 90+1’)
After extra time – Morocco won 3-2 on penalties
Netherlands: B. Verbruggen, J. van Hecke, V. van Dijk, N. Ake (T. Koopmeiners 71’), D. Dumfries, R. Gravenberch (Q. Timber 86’), F. de Jong (M. De Roon 110’), M. van de Ven (J. Hato 86’), C. Summerville, C. Gakpo (J. Kluivert 113’), B. Brobbey (W. Weghorst 71’)
Morocco: Y. Bounou, A. Hakimi, I. Diop, C. Riad (A. Salah-Eddine 75’), N. Mazraoui, A. Bouaddi (S. El Mourabet 79’), N. El Aynaoui, B. Diaz (G. Yassine 79’), A. Ounahi, B. El Khannouss (C. Talbi 87’), I. Saibari
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