AP News reported from Guadalupe, Mexico, that Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a crucial left-handed save on Crysencio Summerville’s penalty with the shootout tied at 2-2. Ismael Saibari then converted his kick into the low left corner past Bart Verbruggen for the decisive goal as the Atlas Lions prevailed 3-2. Earlier in the shootout Soufiane Rahimi’s attempt appeared to be stopped by Verbruggen only for the ball to deflect off the goalkeeper’s leg and over the line. The result sets up a round-of-16 clash against co-host Canada on Saturday in Houston.
According to the AP report Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands a 72nd-minute lead with a goal assisted by Summerville that prompted emotional celebrations from the Dutch bench. Morocco responded in the first minute of stoppage time when Issa Diop headed home a looping cross from Chemsdine Talbi to force extra time. Neither side created clear chances during the additional 30 minutes at Estadio BBVA and the contest moved to penalties for the second time on the opening day of the knockout stage.
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi told AP News that the team knows when it gives everything on the pitch God gives something back. He added that Rahimi’s goal in the shootout might not have stood but it went in thankfully. Ronald Koeman the Netherlands coach said his late substitution of Justin Kluivert who is one of the best at penalties backfired after the player missed his kick making it even more bitter for him and for us. Ouahbi also noted that Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now viewing the Dutch approach as a form of respect.
The Associated Press noted that the Netherlands had reached at least the round of 16 in its previous 11 World Cup appearances including a quarterfinal run in Qatar four years ago. Morocco became the first African side to reach the semifinals at that 2022 tournament. This expanded 2026 edition marked the first time 32 teams advanced to the knockout rounds and the match featured the highest combined world ranking of any round-of-32 fixture with Morocco sixth and the Netherlands seventh.
AP News data showed this was the third consecutive World Cup from which the Netherlands has been eliminated on penalties. Paraguay had earlier beaten Germany in a shootout on the same day. Morocco will now prepare for Canada a team it defeated 2-1 during the 2022 group stage. Ouahbi stated the squad must tell itself that no one can stop us and that nobody is unbeatable adding that mistakes will send them home.
The victory represented the second time in World Cup history that Morocco has overcome a leading European nation via penalties after its 2022 triumph against Spain according to tournament records. Netherlands forward Gakpo had scored following a personal announcement earlier in the week about the loss of his unborn child with partner Noa van der Bij. The result ends the Dutch campaign at the group stage exit for the first time in more than a decade.
