World Cup Tickets: Morocco came from behind to knock the Netherlands out in the round of 32, beating them 3-2 on penalties. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the critical save to block the Netherlands’ fourth penalty from Crysencio Summerville, before attacker Ismael Saibari walked up to explode home the winning spot-kick that wrapped a 3-2 shootout win on Monday.
Morocco Stuns the Netherlands in a Dramatic Penalty Shootout
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.
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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. Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as his teammates surrounded him in a prolonged group embrace.
Gakpo’s Emotional Goal Gives the Dutch Hope
But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in injury time. Morocco had the better odds in the complaining encounter, which saw players from both angles flying into attacks to test the endurance of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.
The Atlas Lions nearly took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil El Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goal-wards only to be deprived of it by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar. Click to read more about World Cup Tickets.
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The violent nature of the competition was on full show midway through the half, when Saibari was fortunate to escape a red card after elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the face. The Dutch continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to change it into goalscoring chances.
Diop’s Stoppage-Time Equaliser Forces Extra Time
Their best effort came on 44 minutes, when Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven uncorked a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that Bounou tipped over. Van Hecke continued to find himself in the thick of the action, and after bloodying his head in a collision in the penalty area. The victory sends Morocco into a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.
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Made his presence felt with a crunching tackle that upended El Aynaoui just before half-time. As the half ended, Saibari just failed to connect with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before going behind. The drama continued into an end-to-end second half. The Netherlands, beautifully arranged by Gakpo’s Liverpool colleague Virgil van Dijk, seemed to be title for victory, but Diop’s late header sent it to extra time.
Morocco threw men forward in search of an equaliser, and the pressure told in the first minute of added on time when a stunning Chemsdine Talbi cross was thundered in by Diop from close range. That goal meant we would have a second consecutive match in the round of 32 heading into Extra Time.
Bounou the Hero as Morocco Reaches the Last 16
Still, it appeared to have tilted in the Netherlands’ favour when coach Ronald Koeman brought on forward Wout Weghorst in a flurry of substitutions after the hydration break. Weghorst made an immediate impact, flicking on a long ball to send Summerville bearing in on goal. Summerville crossed to Gakpo, who hurled himself at the ball to score.
Morocco was observed to have made the breakthrough when Soufiane Rahimi went through on goal in the 96th minute, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Verbruggen. The Netherlands were detained for penalties, but despite Morocco losing their first when El Aynaoui hit the bar, the North Africans recovered to win.
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A chaotic penalty shootout saw Yassine Bounou and Morocco come up on top after the Netherlands failed to convert thrice, Morocco twice, and Ismael Saibari (Morocco’s player of the tournament so far) converted his. It was a game which Morocco dominated, with the Dutch seemingly content to venture on the rare counter while waiting for penalties.
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Who won the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Morocco and the Netherlands?
Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 following extra time, securing a place in the FIFA World Cup last 16.
Who scored Morocco’s equalising goal against the Netherlands?
Issa Diop scored Morocco’s dramatic equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time, heading home from Chemsdine Talbi’s cross to force extra time.
Who scored for the Netherlands during the match?
Cody Gakpo scored the Netherlands’ only goal midway through the second half after being set up during a swift counterattack involving Wout Weghorst and Crysencio Summerville.
Why was Cody Gakpo’s goal so emotional?
Gakpo’s goal came just days after he and his partner announced the heartbreaking loss of their unborn child. He became visibly emotional after scoring and was comforted by his teammates.
Who was the hero of Morocco’s penalty shootout victory?
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou played a decisive role by saving Crysencio Summerville’s penalty, while Ismael Saibari converted the winning spot-kick to seal Morocco’s victory.
Who will Morocco face in the FIFA World Cup last 16?
Morocco advanced to face Canada in the round of 16 after eliminating the Netherlands.
Which players impressed the most for Morocco during the match?
Yassine Bounou, Ismael Saibari, Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, and Chemsdine Talbi were among Morocco’s standout performers, contributing with key saves, attacking play, and crucial goals.
How did the penalty shootout unfold?
Both teams missed multiple penalties, but Morocco held their nerve as the Netherlands failed to convert three spot-kicks. Saibari’s successful penalty secured a 3-2 shootout victory for the Atlas Lions.
How did Morocco perform throughout the match?
Morocco controlled much of the game with greater possession, created the better scoring opportunities, and kept attacking until Diop’s late equaliser before eventually earning a deserved victory in the penalty shootout.
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