- Safiu Kehinde
Morocco has picked off from where they stopped at their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign as they stunned the Netherlands with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory to book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions who became the first African country to reach a World Cup semi-final in the last edition, held the Dutch national team by the jugular in a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 encounter.
This pushed the game to extra-time and the eventual penalty shootout decider.
While both teams failed to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes, the Netherlands managed to break the deadlock late in the second half courtesy Cody Gakpo’s 72nd minute goal.
Gakpo finished calmly after being set up by Crysencio Summerville, giving the Netherlands a deserved advantage after a tense and closely contested game.
Morocco struggled to create clear chances for much of the match with the game slipping away from their hands.
They however remained determined and disciplined.
Defender Ismael Diop had earlier gone into the referee’s book after receiving a yellow card, but he later redeemed himself in dramatic fashion.
Deep into stoppage time, at 90+1 minutes, Diop rose to score the equaliser from a pass by Chadi Talbi, sending Moroccan supporters into celebration and forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved to be a test of nerves for both sides.
Teun Koopmeiners converted the Netherlands’ opening penalty, while Nabil El Aynaoui missed Morocco’s first effort.
However, the Dutch failed to take advantage as Justin Kluivert saw his spot kick saved.
Soufiane Rahimi restored parity for Morocco before Wout Weghorst scored for the Netherlands.
Talbi then kept Morocco in contention with a successful kick, while Quinten Timber failed to convert for the Dutch.
Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Champions League winner, Achraf Hakimi, also missed for Morocco, leaving the contest finely balanced.
The pressure increased further when Summerville was unable to find the net for the Netherlands.
Ibrahim Saibari then stepped forward and calmly converted the decisive penalty, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory for Morocco and completing an impressive comeback.
The result highlighted Morocco’s fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure. After trailing for most of the second half, they showed resilience to score late and held their composure in the shootout.
For Netherlands, it was a disappointing exit after controlling large periods of the game.Their inability to finish off the contest in regulation time and missed penalties ultimately proved costly.
Morocco will now carry renewed confidence into the Round of 16 after producing one of the most dramatic comebacks of the knockout stage.