Morocco come from behind to knock the Netherlands out in the round of 32, beating them 3-2 on penalties.Published On 30 Jun 202630 Jun 2026Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to advance to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 following extra time.Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fourth penalty from Crysencio Summerville, before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe victory sends Morocco into a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.An enthralling match had gone to extra time after Issa Diop had glanced in a dramatic equaliser for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands had closed in on victory.The Dutch had taken the lead midway through the second half with a goal from Cody Gakpo, playing just days after his partner had confirmed the death of the couple’s unborn son. Morocco players celebrate after the match as the team qualifies for the round of 16 [Eloisa Sanchez/Reuters]Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as his teammates surrounded him in a prolonged group embrace.But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in injury time.Morocco had created the better chances in the fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil El Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goal-wards only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Advertisement Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar. Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their first goal with Crysencio Summerville [Raquel Cunha/Reuters]The fierce nature of the contest was on full disp …
