Morocco Eliminate Holland In Strange World Cup Penalty Shootout
Morocco booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands in one of the tournament’s most extraordinary penalty shootouts.
The match ended 1-1 after regulation time, and neither side could find a winner during 30 minutes of extra time, forcing the contest into a dramatic penalty shootout.
Cody Gakpo appeared to have put the Netherlands on course for victory when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, leaving Morocco staring at elimination.
However, the Atlas Lions produced a dramatic late response. Issa Diop rose above two Dutch defenders to power home a bullet header in second-half stoppage time, making it 1-1 and sending the match into extra time.
The penalty shootout unfolded in bizarre fashion. The Netherlands converted their opening kick while Morocco missed, but the Dutch failed to capitalise as they squandered their second attempt.
Morocco then levelled in remarkable circumstances when the Dutch goalkeeper appeared to have made a save, only for the ball to ricochet into his net off his back heel as he rolled on the ground.
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The Dutch converted their third penalty to make it 2-1 before Chemsdine Taibi calmly responded to level the scores at 2-2.
The drama intensified when Quinton’s effort sailed wide for the Netherlands, while Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi also failed to convert.
The Dutch then missed another crucial spot-kick, handing Morocco a final opportunity.
Ismael Saibari kept his composure, coolly rolling his penalty into the net to seal a famous victory and send Morocco into the Round of 16, where they will face hosts Canada.
The defeat extended the Netherlands’ poor record in World Cup penalty shootouts, with the Dutch now having lost four of their five shootouts in the competition’s history.
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The Netherlands’ exit came on the same day fellow European giants Germany were eliminated by Paraguay, underlining another dramatic day at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.