Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, advancing to face Canada in the knockout stage.
12:14 AM
Morocco advanced to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties Monday in Monterrey, Mexico, after the teams finished 1-1 through regular time and 30 minutes of extra time.
The match began with intense physical play in the opening minutes, particularly in midfield, where neither team initially created clear scoring opportunities. Morocco gradually took control as the first half progressed, with the Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen making consecutive saves to keep the match level.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute following a counterattack initiated by Crysencio Summerville, who assisted from the ground. Gakpo finished on his first touch. The goal came 48 hours after Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced the loss of their baby son during pregnancy. After scoring, Gakpo sank to his knees and wept, later looking skyward in an emotional moment.
Morocco equalized in stoppage time when Issa Diop headed in a goal in the 90+1st minute, forcing the match into extra time. The additional 30 minutes produced no further scoring.
In the penalty shootout, five of ten kicks were missed and only one was saved. Morocco's Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty to secure the 3-2 victory. For Morocco, Rahimi, Talbi, and Saibari converted their penalties, while El Aynaoui and Hakimi struck the crossbar. For the Netherlands, Koopmeiners and Weghorst scored; Kluivert hit the post, Timber shot wide, and Summerville's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Bono.
The result extended the Netherlands' poor record in World Cup penalty shootouts, with the team having won only one of five such matches at the tournament. Morocco goalkeeper Bounou was credited as a key factor in the shootout.
Morocco will face Canada in the round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, at 2 p.m. Brasília time in Houston. Canada advanced by defeating South Africa 1-0 on Sunday, June 28.
Morocco reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup and remains in contention in 2026. The team also won the Africa Cup of Nations this year.
Spain tied 1-1 with Iraq and France fell 2-1 to Ivory Coast in final warm-up matches days before the tournament begins.
German third seed Alexander Zverev beat Spanish teenager Rafael Jódar 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Stephen Eustaquio scored in stoppage time Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as Canada advanced past the group stage for the first time in World Cup history.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli sidelined with knee ligament damage sustained in Norway friendly; decision pending on roster status.
Lamine Yamal and Álvaro Oyarzabal scored in Spain's dominant victory at the 2026 World Cup.
Paraguay defeated four-time champion Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, advancing to the last 16. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves.
