Morocco have advanced to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, winning 3-2 from the spot following a 1-1 draw in extra time. Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty after Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's attempt, echoing his heroics from Qatar 2022 when he saved two penalties against Spain.
Match Overview
The match, which lasted nearly three hours, was marked by errors from both sides in the shootout, with each team missing twice before Bounou's decisive save. Morocco had deserved to win in regulation time but only forced extra time through a header from centre-back Issa Diop. The Netherlands had taken the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo, who scored a powerful finish but was visibly emotional after the goal, having earlier announced the loss of his unborn child with his partner.
Tactical Approach
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman opted for a defensive setup, switching from 4-3-3 to a three-centre-back formation, sacrificing midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. This forced Morocco to rely on long balls over the top, which proved ineffective early on. The crowd, a mix of Mexican, Dutch, and Moroccan fans, booed every early Dutch touch, recalling the 2014 last-16 match when the Netherlands beat Mexico on a controversial penalty.
Key Moments
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept the Netherlands in the game with two spectacular saves in the first half, denying Neil El Aynaoui's near-post header and a piledriver from Achraf Hakimi. The first half also saw physical clashes, with Jan Paul van Hecke requiring treatment after being kicked in the face by Saibari and later clashed with Azzedine Ounahi. Van Hecke was also bloodied after a collision with Noussair Mazraoui.
Morocco dominated early in the second half, with 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi shooting over and Hakimi hitting the bar after a clever run. Hakimi was likely offside but his timing was perfect. A crunching tackle from Micky van de Ven denied Hakimi a clear chance. Verbruggen also had to deal with several dangerous Hakimi corners.
Gakpo's Goal and Diop's Equaliser
Despite being second best for much of the match, the Netherlands took the lead through a route-one move. Substitute Wout Weghorst flicked on a Verbruggen punt, sending Summerville through. He hooked the ball to Gakpo, who smashed it home and was mobbed by his teammates. However, Morocco equalised when Chemsdine Talbi's exquisite cross was headed in by Diop.
Extra Time and Penalties
Extra time saw Morocco regain control, with Verbruggen making the save of the night to deny Soufiane Rahimi with a combination of knee and hand. But the match ultimately went to penalties, where Saibari's spot-kick sealed the win. Morocco will now face Canada in the last 16.
