MONTERREY, Mexico — Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash on Monday.
The Atlas Lions will now face co-hosts Canada after edging a fiercely contested encounter that was decided from the penalty spot.
Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty after Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Crysencio Summerville, sealing a memorable victory for the North Africans.
Earlier in the shootout, Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen appeared to stop Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty, but the ball slipped beneath him and rolled over the line. Quinten Timber then fired the Netherlands’ fourth spot kick wide before Achraf Hakimi struck the post with an opportunity to wrap up the contest. Saibari, however, held his nerve to score the winning penalty.
The shootout followed an entertaining match in which the momentum shifted repeatedly between the two sides.
The Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo, whose first-time finish gave the Dutch the advantage after substitute Wout Weghorst helped create the opening.
Gakpo, who recently lost his unborn son during his partner’s pregnancy, was overcome with emotion after scoring and broke down in tears as teammates gathered around him in support.
Morocco refused to surrender and found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when substitute Chemsdine Talbi delivered a precise cross that Issa Diop headed powerfully past Verbruggen to force extra time.
Neither side managed to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes, sending the contest to penalties.
Speaking after the victory, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi praised his teammates for their resilience and thanked the fans for their unwavering support.
“We know this type of game, we know against who we play,” Hakimi said. “We have to be focused and be strong physically but also mentally.”
“I want to say thank you for Mexico for the support, all the Moroccans that came to support us,” he added.
Morocco had created the better opportunities in the first half, but Verbruggen produced several outstanding saves to deny Ayoub Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui, while Bounou was also called into action to keep out Micky van de Ven’s long-range effort.
Hakimi was one of Morocco’s standout performers, striking the crossbar and repeatedly troubling the Dutch defence with his attacking runs from deep.
The Atlas Lions also enjoyed overwhelming support inside the stadium, with thousands of Moroccan fans celebrating alongside many Mexican supporters, who adopted the African side for the evening. Chants of “No era penal” (“It wasn’t a penalty”) echoed around the stadium, recalling the controversial spot kick that helped the Netherlands eliminate Mexico at the 2014 World Cup.
Morocco’s victory keeps alive Africa’s hopes at the expanded 48-team tournament as they prepare for a Round of 16 showdown with Canada.