Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Netherlands following a tense 1-1 draw at Monterrey Stadium on Sunday.
Netherlands had taken the lead through Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute, only two days after the forward announced the loss of his unborn son. However, Morocco struck deep into stoppage time when substitute Issa Diop powered in a header from Chemsdine Talbi’s cross to force extra time and eventually penalties.
The Dutch had controlled large parts of the first half but Morocco created the clearer chances early on. Neil El Aynaoui went close with a header from an Achraf Hakimi corner that required a sharp save from Bart Verbruggen while Ismael Saibari later failed to connect with a dangerous delivery at the back post.
Hakimi continued to trouble the Netherlands defence after the break, hitting the post with a powerful run before Micky van de Ven made a crucial recovery tackle to deny another opportunity for the Moroccan captain.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman introduced Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst to shift momentum and the move paid off. Weghorst won an aerial duel that led to Crysencio Summerville setting up Gakpo for a composed finish past Yassine Bounou.
It appeared enough to send Netherlands through until Morocco’s late equaliser changed the complexion of the match. Extra time brought further drama as Verbruggen produced a remarkable close-range save from Soufiane Rahimi before Morocco held firm in the shootout.
Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure, making key saves to secure a 3-2 penalty win and send Morocco through to face Canada in Houston on 4 July.
Key stat: Cody Gakpo now joins a group of elite Dutch scorers at the World Cup, sitting on six goals.
Player of the Match: Issa Diop (Morocco)
