Morocco beat the Netherlands on penalties to book their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Monterrey on Monday. After the match was tied 1-1 after regulation and extra time, Morocco won the tiebreaker 3-2. The win will see the African nation face Canada in the next round in Houston next Saturday.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassin Bounou saved Netherlands’ Crescencio Summerville’s fifth penalty shot in the penalty shootout before striker Ismail Saibari scored the winner. Earlier, Netherlands took the lead midway through the second half through Cody Gakpo. Liverpool forward Gakpo, who came on despite the recent loss of his child, was emotional among his teammates after scoring. But as the Netherlands cruised to victory, Issa Diop equalized for Morocco with a superb header from substitute Samsdin Talbi’s cross in the first minute of injury time.
Morocco created several great chances in the match under Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio. In the 20th minute, Ashraf Hakimi’s corner kick was saved by Neal Al-Ainou’s goal by Dutch goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen. Hakimi’s powerful shot was saved moments later by Verbruggen. In the 44th minute, Tottenham’s Micky Van de Van’s shot was saved by Morocco’s goalkeeper Bunu. There were also serious physical clashes between players from both teams on the pitch, with Cibari hitting Jan Paul van Heyke in the face midway through the first half, but escaped punishment. Despite a head injury, Van Hecke made a tough tackle late in the first half against Al-Ainau.
After a hydration break midway through the second half, the Netherlands regained momentum after coach Ronald Koeman substituted Wout Weghorst. Somerville received the ball from a great pass from Weghurst and passed it to Gakpo who scored for the team. Virgil van Dijk led the Netherlands in strong defence, but Diop’s last-minute goal turned the tide of the game. Morocco’s Sofiane Rahimi had a chance to score in the 96th minute of extra time, but Verbruggen made a stunning save.
Neither team scored in extra time and a tiebreaker was used to decide the outcome of the match. In the tiebreaker, Morocco’s Al-Ainou failed to score from the first penalty but the African team staged a fine comeback to win. With this historic victory in Monterrey, Morocco are now ready for the next challenge when they take on Canada in their last sixteen match in Houston on Saturday.