FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 – ROUND OF 32
NETHERLANDS……..1 (2)
MOROCCO…..……….1 (3)
Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup last 16 after beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Morocco created the better chances throughout the match and came close to taking the lead on several occasions, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a number of excellent saves to keep the scores level.
The Netherlands went ahead in the 72nd minute when Crysencio Summerville set up Cody Gakpo, who finished calmly from close range.
Morocco continued to push forward and were rewarded in stoppage time. Chemsdine Talbi delivered an excellent cross and Issa Diop headed home to make it 1-1 and send the match into extra time.
Neither side could find a winner in the additional 30 minutes, although Verbruggen made another outstanding save to deny Soufiane Rahimi.
The match was decided by penalties. Morocco recovered after Neil El Aynaoui missed their first spot-kick, while the Netherlands missed three penalties through Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville.
Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty to send Morocco through to the last 16, ending the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign.
The victory also ended the Netherlands’ 11-match unbeaten run in competitive fixtures, while Morocco reached the World Cup knockout stage for only the third time in their history.
