Morocco Beat Netherlands on Penalties to Reach World Cup Last 16

Morocco have knocked the Netherlands out of the 2026 World Cup, winning a penalty shootout 3-2 after a thrilling 1-1 draw at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Tuesday morning.

Ismail Saibari scored the decisive spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way to seal the win after the Dutch missed three of their five penalties. Morocco now face Canada in the last 16 in Houston.

Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands a dramatic 72nd-minute lead, scoring just days after announcing the loss of his unborn son. The Liverpool forward stayed with the squad despite his grief and fired past Yassine Bounou after a swift counter attack, sparking emotional scenes as teammates rushed to embrace him.

Morocco refused to fold. Issa Diop levelled in stoppage time, meeting a curling cross from Chemsdine Talbi with a powerful header to force extra time. Morocco had dominated large spells of the match before that point, but were repeatedly denied by Verbruggen and the woodwork.

Achraf Hakimi, playing his 100th international match, struck the bar from an acute angle in the second half, while Verbruggen produced a string of fine saves to keep his side in the game, including a crucial block on the line from a Hakimi corner.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, despite Morocco continuing to push and Verbruggen denying Soufiane Rahimi with what looked like one of the best saves of the tournament.

The shootout swung back and forth. Teun Koopmeiners scored first for the Netherlands before Neil El Aynaoui struck the crossbar for Morocco. Justin Kluivert then hit the post, but Rahimi's effort squeezed through Verbruggen's grasp to make it 1-1. Wout Weghorst and Talbi both converted before Quinten Timber dragged his attempt wide and Hakimi smashed into the same post Kluivert had hit earlier. Bounou then saved from Crysencio Summerville, leaving Saibari to step up and finish the job.

Morocco dominated the statistics across the match, finishing with 70% possession, 11 shots to the Netherlands' 6, and an expected goals advantage of 1.40 to 0.23. Verbruggen was named player of the match despite the defeat, making five saves and helping his side survive until the shootout.

Morocco will play Canada in Houston on Saturday at 18:00 WAT.